Patient satisfaction and postoperative pain management in ambulatory surgery: a prospective questionnaire-based...

Ambulatory surgery is expanding globally due to its clinical, social, and economic benefits, yet postoperative pain remains a major determinant of patient satisfaction and is often inadequately managed.

This prospective questionnaire based observational cohort study at Jordan University Hospital (January-September 2024) evaluated patient satisfaction with ambulatory surgery and its association with postoperative pain control. Adult patients undergoing elective ambulatory procedures with preoperative anesthesia clinic attendance were included (N = 1012). Satisfaction was assessed using predefined 10-point Likert scales across perioperative domains, with pain intensity measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11).

Overall satisfaction with anesthesia care was reported by 97.6% of the patients. However, dissatisfied patients reported significantly lower overall hospital satisfaction [median 7 (IQR 6-9) vs. 9 (IQR 8-9); p < 0.001] and reduced willingness to recommend the hospital (87.5% vs. 98.8%; p = 0.002). Overall satisfaction positively correlated with staff approach in the pre-anesthesia clinic, holding area, and post-anesthesia care unit, and with pain management (p < 0.001), while negatively correlating with postoperative pain scores (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified better post-anesthesia care unit approach (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.31-2.22) and regular pain assessment (OR 3.77, 95% CI 1.17-12.21) as independent predictors of satisfaction, whereas perceived under-treatment predicted dissatisfaction (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.10-0.92).

These findings underscore the critical role of proactive pain management and high-quality perioperative communication in improving patient satisfaction after ambulatory surgery.