PATIENTS` SATISFACTION WITH LABORATORY SERVICES AT SELECTED MEDICAL-DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES IN VARNA

Abstract

Journal of IMAB -Annual Proceeding (Scientific Papers) 2014, vol. 20, issue 2 ISSN: 1312-773X (Online) SUMMARY Aim: To establish the degree of patient satisfaction as factors of quality diagnostic laboratory activity. Materials and methods: Patients' satisfaction with laboratory service was studied by means of an anonymous inquiry of 150 patients from Varna during the February -April 2013. Results and Discussion: The maximum patient satisfaction of laboratory studies indicates a high level of the diagnostic laboratories. The quality of the medical service and professionalism of the staff is the main reason for the patients' preferences. These estimates have an increasing importance for the future of diagnostic laboratories in a developing market of an economy and health system based on the patient choice. Conclusion: Quality of the medical service and professionalism of the staff is the main motive for the preferences of patients, followed by good attitude and personal attention. The overall degree of patients' satisfaction with the laboratory services was high. Microbiology laboratories are an important part of health care organizations. A component of effective health care services is the measurement of patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction assists in the evaluation of health care services from the patients' point of view. It also facilitates the identification of problem areas and generates ideas for resolving these problems. Monitoring patients' satisfaction is an important and useful quality improvement tool for clinical laboratories in particular and health care organizations in general [1]. Most clinical laboratories in the United States are required to assess their customers' satisfaction in order to maintain their accreditations [2]. Aim: To establish the degree of patient satisfaction as factors of quality diagnostic laboratory activity.