Publications

Abstract Background: Assessment of caretaker’s satisfaction with child care is the key issue in evaluation of the quality of care, enabling the adjustment of the services provided to the needs and expectations of recipients. Children admitted to pediatric wards require special hospital situations, a bespoke approach from the medical and nursing team. It is important to give attention to the caregivers while planning for child services. The purpose of this study was to assess the caretaker’s satisfaction with the services provided in pediatric surgery wards of tertiary care hospital Bangalore and identify its associated factors [4] . Methodology: Quantitative research approach and descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The samples from the selected hospital were selected using non-probability purposive sampling technique. The sample consisted of 65 caretakers of children admitted in pediatric surgery ward. The tools used for data collection was proforma to collect demographic variables 5-point Likert scale to assess satisfaction of pre and postoperative care. Result: The present study revealed that 89% of caretakers were highly satisfied and 11% were satisfied with the preoperative care. With regard to postoperative care 81% Caretakers were highly satisfied and 19% were satisfied. The result shows in pre- and post-operative care area wise satisfaction are highest in surgeon’s care. In this present study there was no statistically significant Association of total satisfaction of pre-and post-operative care with demographic variables of caretakers and children. Except the aspect of socioeconomic status of caretakers. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study an information booklet is prepared to help the health professionals to educate the caretakers in future. Investigator took initiative to ensure the utilization of the information booklet as routine practice in surgery ward to educate the caretakers regarding pre and post operative care of children by health professionals. Keywords: Satisfaction, caretakers and post-operative care, information booklet Introduction Patient’s and caretaker’s satisfaction has become an important indicator of quality care. Children are special patients and require a unique delivery of care. Nurses have the additional responsibility of establishing a family centered care that is consistent, supportive and nurturing which meets the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of the patients and care takers and to maintain an environment conducive to healing, is a reflection of trust, honesty, and respect to caretakers. Satisfaction consists of freedom from stressful situation, pain, anxiety and doubt, and to have adequate knowledge and understanding, efficient care and effective communication, and good rapport are the positive element of satisfaction. Care cannot be of high quality, unless the patient and care takers are satisfied. Assessment of quality of care may be accomplished by investigating caretakers satisfaction obtained by evaluation of services received during their hospital stay. Collecting information about specific experiences with concrete aspects of health services is a more valid measure of satisfaction, and easier to interpret than satisfaction ratings. Hospital strives to make Pediatric services focus on family centered care that is consistent, supportive and nurturing which meets the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of the child and care takers [1] . But the use of sophisticated equipment busy work schedule and proliferation of health care professionals and inadequate Present time people expect quality of medical care, nursing care, competency, courtesy, kindness, consideration, comfort and adequate timely information from health professionals. communication have made the services in the hospital impersonal, fragmented and leads to dissatisfaction to patients and care takers [6] . Many studies have revealed that most caretakers found it difficult to accept the role of helping their children and manage their stress, they also experience intense stress, feelings of helplessness and dissatisfaction. Lack of understanding regarding disease condition, investigations, upcoming procedures, unfamiliarity with hospital environment and uncertainty regarding the details and outcome of the treatment are the major contributing factors towards parental ignorance and dissatisfaction. Despite economic advantages and development of health services and the medical psychological advancements pre -operative psychological preparation for the parents of children still remains inadequate. Many studies have discussed the impact of nurse staffing on health care outcomes flanks hear et al; 2005, Bolton et al. 2003) and suggest that positive patient outcomes depend more on the quality of nursing than on the available technology (Navuluri 1999). Continuing education is a term used to describe the programmes or courses that assist professional nurses in developing and maintaining the clinical expertise that promotes quality-nursing care Need for the study Assessing satisfaction and providing quality care is important to maximise caretakers’ satisfaction. Units should have an organized pre admission programme that incorporates elements of the pre- and post- operative care. This gives the child and caretakers to express their expectations, fears, doubts, and to learn their role in delivering care and gives health professionals opportunity to improve quality services, and effectively manage and monitor health care performance. Therefore, the present study aimed to monitor, measure, assess, and improve health care Professionals performance to achieve service excellence and caretaker’s delight. Also, to empower and involve all employees in continuous quality improvement.