Bedside ultrasound maximizes patient satisfaction

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Bedside ultrasound (US) is linked to better patient satisfaction, potentially due to faster diagnosis and reduced length of stay (LOS).
• Understanding the impact of US on patient perception is crucial for healthcare quality improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the association between bedside US and patient satisfaction.
• To assess patient attitudes towards US and their perception of clinician interaction during the examination.

Main Methods:

• A convenience sample of adult patients undergoing bedside US was enrolled.
• A control group with similar LOS and complaints but without bedside US was used for comparison.
• Patient satisfaction and perceptions were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale via surveys during the ED visit and 1 week later.

Main Results:

• Patients receiving bedside US reported significantly higher satisfaction scores for overall ED care (4.69 vs. 4.23).
• Higher satisfaction was also noted for diagnostic testing (4.54 vs. 4.09) and emergency physician skills (4.77 vs. 4.14).
• A positive trend in satisfaction scores for the intervention group persisted on follow-up surveys.

Conclusions:

• Bedside US is associated with statistically significant improvements in patient satisfaction with emergency department care, diagnostic procedures, and physician interaction.
• Bedside US can expedite diagnosis and care, while also maximizing patient satisfaction and strengthening the patient-physician relationship.
• Enhanced patient satisfaction through bedside US is increasingly relevant for healthcare organizations focused on patient outcomes and survey performance.