Burn patients' evaluation of emergency department care

We examined satisfaction with burn care in 1,418 patients treated in 20 community hospital emergency departments. Lower levels of satisfaction correlated with a poorer process of care measured by number of physician deviations from burn care algorithms. The less severely burned and older patients had higher degrees of satisfaction. The more satisfied the patient, the greater the compliance with medical regimens and the better the patient outcomes as measured by days lost from work and perceived disability. If better patient attitudes relate to process of care and in turn to increased compliance and better outcome, then patient satisfaction is an important part of an overall evaluation of emergency department care.