Enhancing the Patient Experience in Cardiac Procedures: A Mixed-Methods Quality Improvement Study

This pilot study in the Interventional Cardiology and Electrophysiology units at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) identified gaps in patient experience through follow-up phone surveys. Responses were collected from 104 patients using an unvalidated survey instrument to generate hypotheses and inform future quality improvement initiatives. Findings revealed high satisfaction with pain management and procedural comfort, but persistent concerns regarding postprocedural communication and wait times, with notable differences in satisfaction between patients who underwent electrophysiology procedures versus catheterization or structural interventions. Qualitative responses were coded by 2 independent reviewers (Cohen's κ = 0.80). Key themes included physician-patient communication, perceived wait times, and family involvement in care. Findings are contextualized within the broader literature on patient experience and quality improvement in cardiac procedural settings. Building on strategies from national and international studies, evidence-informed recommendations are offered to guide improvements, including targeted enhancements in communication and scheduling.