PATIENT SATISFACTION: Studies Highlight Quality Concerns
Patient concerns about hospital quality appear to be widespread, according to two separate studies out this week. During hospital visits, the potential for medication errors worries patients more than the fear of pain or the cost of treatment, finds a new study by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). The survey of more than 1,000 adults found that 61% were "very concerned" about being given the wrong medication and 58% about "being given two or more medications that interact in a negative way." By comparison, 58% were concerned about costs, 56% about complications from medical procedures, and 49% about suffering from pain. How should hospitals address the fear of medication errors? The study found that 76% of respondents said "speaking with a pharmacist while in a hospital or health system would help allay their medication concerns." And 65% added that speaking with the pharmacist in person would be the preferred way to receive information about their medications (ASHP release, 9/13). Meanwhile, a second study by the National Research Corporation, which surveyed 166,000 households, reports that 38% of Americans believe hospitals are more interested in profit than in providing high quality care (Reuters, 9/10).
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