Patient experience and overall satisfaction after emergency abdominal surgery

There is a growing recognition of the importance of patient experience in healthcare, however little is known in the context of emergency abdominal surgery. This study sought to quantify the association between patient experience and overall satisfaction.

Patient demographics, operation details and 30-day clinical outcome data of consecutive patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery were collected. Data was collected using validated Patient Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) questionnaires. Categorical data were tested using Mann Whitney U test. Multivariable regression was used to determine independent factors associated with satisfaction.

In a well-fitting multivariable analysis (R² = 0.71), variables significantly associated with a higher global satisfaction score were "sufficient information given about treatment" (β = 0.86, 95% CI 0.01-1.70, p = 0.047), "sufficient explanation of risks and benefits of surgery" (β = 1.26, 95% CI 0.18-2.34, p = 0.020), "absence of night-time noise" (β = 1.35, 95% CI 0.56-2.14, p = 0.001) and "confidence and trust in nurses" (β = 1.51, 95% CI 0.54-2.49, p = 0.003).

Overall patient satisfaction was strongly associated with perceptions of good communication and transfer of information. Confidence and trust in the clinical team is an important determinant of patient experience. Improving the ward environment by reducing noise at night may also improve the overall experience and satisfaction in emergency surgery.