Quality of Care at Cape Coast Central Hospital, Ghana: Users' Perspective
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Date
1999-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ghana Medical Journal
Abstract
We carried out a survey of users' perception and
assessment of the quality of care services provided at
the Cape Coast Central Hospital. We interviewed
312 users from 24 communities in the Cape Coast
municipality using a structured questionnaire. Of
these, 77% 3 attended the hospital for primary care.
Eighty-two (26%) were inpatient users during the 6
months preceding the study. Respondents' choice of
the hospital was motivated by lower costs compared
to private clinics, quality of medical care, available
expertise and the final referral position of the hospital.
The factors perceived to be most important for
medical care included availability of drugs. clinicians
and equipment and pleasant staff attitude.
Fifty-seven percent of users were not informed about
their diagnosis; 43% of those with preventable illnesses
were not educated on how to prevent future
episodes. Thirty-eight percent of users spent less
than one hour at the hospital. Owing largely to non-
availability. only 17% of users received all their prescribed
drugs from the hospital's pharmacy. Fifty-two
percent of all users spent at least ₵ 10,000 (cedis)
during their last visit to the hospital. Inpatient users
generally complained about poor sanitary facilities.
lack of clean bedding, disturbance by mosquitoes and
rodents and lack of entertainment facilities. Patients'
blood pressure and weight were infrequently measured.
Overall, 80% or more of users were satisfied
with their diagnosis. treatment provided and skills of
the clinical staff. Less than 56% were satisfied with
staff attitude towards them and waiting time at the
hospital. Twenty-eight percent were satisfied with
the amount spent on care at the hospital. Inpatient
users were less likely than outpatient users to be satisfied
with their hospital bills or staff attitude.
Our findings provide indicators for monitoring the
quality of care delivered at the hospital.
Description
Journal Article on Quality Care at the Cape Coast Central Hospital
Keywords
Quality of care, User satisfaction, cost of care, Cape Coast Central Hospital