PATIENT AND PARENT EXPERIENCE DURING ELECTIVE PAEDIATRIC ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY: ARE WE MEETING THEIR EXPECTATIONS?

Introduction The aim of the current study was to evaluate patient and caregiver's experience with nurses, doctors, and hospital in the peri-operative period and during discharge when admitted for elective surgery. Method 30 patients undergoing elective paediatric orthopaedic surgery over a 3-month period were invited to take part in the study using a self-administered anonymised Modified CAHPS hospital experience survey on Microsoft Forms. The score consisted of 7 sections focussing on satisfaction with nursing/medical care, experience with healthcare provider, care in hospital, surgical care, discharge process and overall satisfaction. The responses were graded and each section had a weighted score giving a total overall score of 110. Results 20 parents responded to the survey giving a response rate of 66%. Overall mean score 74.64 (range 54 to 104). Satisfaction was higher with surgical care, medical care, and nursing care and lower with hospital care. 2 patients were particularly unhappy with all aspects of care and 2 patients were delighted, with most patients being somewhere in between. Bed shortage was a particular concern that resulted in parent dissatisfaction due to prolonged wait times and surgery cancellations. Lack of communication emerged as key theme from the comments section in the survey. Conclusions Patient/Parent satisfaction is multi-factorial and depends on overall care received in hospital and not just the surgical care. There is scope for improvement in these domains and a patient information leaflet is being developed to improve communication and provide guidance during admission.