Analysis of complaints lodged by patients attending a university hospital: a 4-year analysis

Health practitioners often regard complaints concerning the quality of patient care in a negative light. However, complaints by patients and their relatives are an important source of information when considering ways in which to improve care. In the present study, we evaluated the complaints of patients and their relatives with regard to our hospital, such that we could take adequate remedial measures.

Records of all patient complaints made between June 2008 and June 2012 were retrieved from the archives of the Quality Improvement Unit. The socio-demographic profiles of complainants, and their reasons for complaining, were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package.

The results revealed that 453 complaints, relating to medical care, the attitude of staff, waiting times, and financial issues, were made against our hospital over 4 years. Of the complainants, 68.9% (n = 312) were male, and 31.1% (n = 141) were female. The majority (16.3% and 20.4%, respectively) of the complaints were due to medical care and staff attitude problems. The unit about which most patients complained was hospital administration (22.1%), and one hundred fifty-three (33.8%) complaints were about physicians. Complaint frequency was 0.22 per 1.000 visits.

Complaints may be potentially useful quality assurance tools, and can identify system flaws. The primary causes of complaints were medical care, attitude of the staff, and waiting time, and many of these issues may be remedied.