Assessment of Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care in Selected Wards of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (Luth)

Abstract

Health care is changing rapidly and the need to improve quality in its delivery is increasing. Patient satisfaction is a central indicator for health care quality and reflects the ability of the provider to meet the patients’ needs. The most important predictor of patient’s overall satisfaction with hospital care is particularly related to their satisfaction with nursing care. This study assessed patient satisfaction with nursing care in selected wards of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Jean Watson’s theory of human caring was used to form the theoretical foundation for this study due to its emphasis on the caring process and the relationship between the nurse and the patient. A convenient nonprobability sampling technique was employed for the study. The sample size was estimated using the total enumeration method. Data was collected by means of questionnaires. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed with 100% return rate. The findings revealed that only 77% of the patients showed excellent satisfaction with the quality of nursing care received during their stay on the ward. It is recommended that patient suggestions for improving the quality of nursing care should be implemented and annual continuous educational program on patient satisfaction should be mandatory for all nurses.