Parental satisfaction with paediatric intensive care

Abstract

Literature reviews, parental consultation and multi-disciplinary input informed the development of a questionnaire to evaluate parental satisfaction with a regional paediatric intensive care service. The questionnaire was tested in a postal survey of 220 parents (response rate 50 percent) following their child's discharge from the unit in order to measure satisfaction levels, determine positive service attributes and identify strategies for future service development. There was a high level of parental satisfaction with many aspects of the service, particularly the standard of care, the perceived competency of staff and the level of support and involvement experienced. Satisfaction with facilities was more variable, although this was largely in relation to the hospital as a whole, rather than paediatric intensive care (PIC) facilities. Respondents provided suggestions for service development, particularly regarding information, communication and preparation for the transition from PIC to ward environments. Many of the strategies identified to optimise the service were not dependent upon extensive organisational change or excessive additional resources.

Construction and psychometric testing of the EMPATHIC questionnaire measuring parent satisfaction in the pediatric intensive care unit

“…Only two validated parent satisfaction instruments have been documented in the literature for PICU settings [8, 9]. The instrument developed in the UK assessed the face and content validity although no reliability testing was performed [8].…”

“…The instrument developed in the UK assessed the face and content validity although no reliability testing was performed [8]. Despite the proper testing of the reliability and validity of the 23-item instrument developed in the USA, the authors stated that a limitation of this instrument is its restricted number of items [9].…”

“…Whether these surveys are of an acceptable academic standard is unknown. The reality remains that only two parent satisfaction questionnaires for PICU services are documented in the literature [8, 9]. …”

Psychometric Evaluation of a Modified Version of the Family Satisfaction in the ICU Survey in Parents/Caregivers of Critically Ill Children*

“…A number of tools are used to assess satisfaction with healthcare, but few are aimed at assessing satisfaction with healthcare in the ICU (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). Because patients in the ICU often cannot communicate their medical wishes, decisions, and subsequent satisfaction with healthcare delivery/results, this task is relegated to family members who act on their behalf (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25).…”

“…Because patients in the ICU often cannot communicate their medical wishes, decisions, and subsequent satisfaction with healthcare delivery/results, this task is relegated to family members who act on their behalf (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). However, tools used to assess satisfaction in the PICU are less common (17)(18)(19). However, tools used to assess satisfaction in the PICU are less common (17)(18)(19).…”