Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the user satisfaction between 4-bedrooms and 5/6-bedrooms in a single general hospital. Methodology: To measure and compare multiple-bed ward user satisfaction between 4-bedrooms and 5/6-bedrooms, questionnaires were collected from 916 inpatients and 129 nurses in a single general hospital. The patient satisfaction questionnaire categories included environmental conditions, protection of privacy, and medical services. The nurse satisfaction questionnaire categories included space, infection control, patient safety, work load and psychologic view point. Findings: Satisfaction of patient who admitted in 4-bedroom to the environmental conditions and protection of privacy was higher than that of 5/6-bedroom group (3.91 vs. 3.25, p<0.001). Satisfaction of nurse who worked in 4-bedroom was higher than that of 5/6-bedroom (3.05 vs. 1.92, p<0.001). By the multiple linear regression analysis, patient satisfaction to the environmental conditions and protection of privacy was related with multi-bedroom type and location of beds; 4-bedrooms were higher than 5/6-bedrooms(p<0.001), window side bed were higher than hallway side bed(p=0.001). There was no satisfaction difference in comparing medical services between the two groups. By the multiple linear mixed regression analysis, nurse satisfaction who were assigned for 4-bedrooms were higher than that of 5/6-bedrooms in all categories(p<0.001). Practical Implications: Even though no difference has shown in medical services satisfaction between the two patient groups, multi-bedroom type may affect patient satisfaction in environmental condition, protection of privacy and may also affect overall nurse satisfaction. This result suggests that to improve multi-bedroom user satisfaction, 4-bedroom is recommended over 5/6-bedroom.