Information exchange in oncological inpatient care--patient satisfaction, participation, and safety

This prospective pilot study aimed to investigate patients' perception of information exchange and its associations with patient satisfaction, participation and safety at inpatient oncology wards.

Consecutive patients with cancer who spent ≥3 days at an oncological inpatient ward at the Department of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital during the study period (March-August 2013) were invited to respond to EORTC-INPATSAT32 measuring patient satisfaction and a study specific questionnaire. Data on changes in medication and fall risk assessments was collected from the patients' electronic health records.

A total of 104 patients (58%) participated in the study. Patients rated doctors' and nurses' information provision lower than their technical and interpersonal skills, and 13% considered the information exchange "excellent". Changes in medication were registered for 83% of participating patients, which 56% of the patients were aware of. Fall risk assessment was registered for 73% of responding patients, and 39% reported having discussed risk of falling during the hospital stay. The Downton Fall Risk Index scores were not associated with actual falls or fall prevention actions.

Deficits were found on information exchange and information provision between health care professionals and patients. This might have a negative impact on known patient safety risks such as medication errors and falls. More effective strategies to perform fall risk assessments in an oncological inpatient setting are needed. Further studies evaluating interventions to improve participation and information exchange are necessary to increase patient satisfaction, participation and safety in oncological inpatient care.