Patients' Perceptions of Perioperative Quality of Care in Relation to Self-rated Health

Purpose: To explore (1) associations between patient and perioperative factors and dimensions of quality of care and (2) perioperative patients' self-rated physical health in relation to information, encouragement, and participation. Design: A nonexperimental descriptive exploratory design (n = 170 participants).

Methods: Analyses were performed using quantitative techniques; collected data were quantitative in nature. Multiple logistic regression and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data.

Findings: The factor associated with patients' satisfaction within the dimension of "identity-oriented approach of the caregivers," including the quality of information, encouragement, and participation, was self-estimated physical health. Those who estimated their physical health as being good were generally more satisfied. Patients who rated their physical health as being less than good were significantly less satisfied with the information provided before surgery about their stay in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).

Conclusions: Nurses should chart patients' estimations of their physical health initially in care to provide reinforced support for patients who estimate their physical health is less than good. Before surgery, patients who have estimated their physical health as being less than good should be given realistic information about their stay in the PACU-that they will be in a PACU after surgery, what that stay means, and why it is necessary.