When it comes to patient satisfaction, over 3,000 families surveyed at 80 residential care facilities in British Columbias largest health authority concluded that seniors are very happy with the quality of care they are receiving from staff and facility operators.
Over 90% of the families and seniors said they were satisfied with the quality of direct care, nursing and administration services they were receiving in long term care facilities. The most recent Fraser Health Authority Residential Care Family Satisfaction Survey (2008), also concluded more than 75% of respondents from health service providers and 85% from owned and operated sites reported visiting their relative/friend in care at least once a week.
The report stated, "Satisfaction with the quality of care, as measured by the nine domains on the survey was generally quite high." A follow-up survey will be undertaken in the coming months by Fraser Health and a similar poll of assisted living facilities was just completed and results are pending. BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) President Mary McDougall was encouraged by the high approval ratings and gave credit to the hard working staff and care providers at facilities across the region. "While we are happy seniors and families are pleased with quality of care they are receiving from our members, we are not resting on our laurels. These surveys are a useful tool to identify what we are doing right - and what areas need improvement."
The Fraser Health Authority's Patient Satisfaction Survey consists of 54 questions in categories that focus on admissions, activities, choice, direct care/nursing, meals, laundry and environment. Seniors care facilities distribute one survey to each resident's most frequent visitor. They have two weeks to complete the survey and return it to facility or health authority. Close to 3,100 completed surveys were received.
BCCPA CEO Ed Helfrich recognized Fraser Health's leadership in measuring patient satisfaction. "While each of BC's health authorities measure patient satisfaction, Fraser Health's regular surveys set the bar. BCCPA will be encouraging the provincial government to adopt a standardized patient satisfaction survey for all regions to help measure trends, highlight successes and identify outstanding issues for follow-up."
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