What is quality healthcare? From the provider side of healthcare this question is easy to answer. Evidence-based healthcare practices that provide the highest level of care for the lowest consumer cost, of course. This question is much harder to answer from the patient perspective according to Kash and McKahan (2017). Patient perception of quality is often linked to a patients’ predisposition of cares needed based on their own research or past experiences, regardless of associated risk. Furthermore, validity of patient satisfaction is of question related to the lack of medical knowledge most patients are lacking (Kash and McKahan, 2017).

Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) is one of several readily available survey frequently used to assess patient satisfaction for entire inpatient visit; covering a wide range of topics including food, provider, comfort and respect (CMS.gov, 2018 and Lavella &Gallan, 2014). This measurement style is known as a quantitative approach via the use of a structured questionnaire. According to Lavella and Gallan (2014) when effective evaluation is noted positive clinical outcomes ensue; such as enhancement of safety, improvement in quality of care, and changes to system processes for the better. All of which apply to the development of a STEMI protocol and monitoring tool. The main purpose of the STEMI protocol is to improve system processes to ensure rapid diagnosis and transfer of patient, thus improving overall safety, quality of care and optimal well-being.

References

CMS.gov. (2017) HCAHPS: Patients’ perspectives of care survey. Retrieved from  https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-AssessmentInstruments/HospitalQualityInits/Hospital/

Kash, B., McKahan, M. (2017). The evolution of measuring patient satisfaction. Journal of Primary Health Care and General Practice, 1(1): 1-4. Retrieved from https://scientonline.org/open-access/the-evolution-of-measuring-patient-satisfaction.pdf

Lavela,S., & Gallan, A. (2014). Evaluation and measurement of patient experience. Patient Experience Journal, 1(1): 27-36. Retrieved from https://pxjournal.org/cgi/viewpoint.cgi?article=1003&context=journal