Satisfaction with the performance of emergency medical services: a case study in Tabriz

Objective: Assessing patients’ satisfaction with emergency medical services (EMSs) is an important managerial point of view. The present study aimed to assess the patients’ satisfaction with EMS in Tabriz, Iran. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic study that was done in the prehospital emergency and disaster management center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. In this study, from May to December 2017, we included 659 patients who were transferred to hospitals with our prehospital emergency services. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used to evaluate the satisfaction of patients about the performance of prehospital EMSs. Results: Data of 659 patients were evaluated. Trauma was the most common cause of contact with 115 and help request (33.83%). The results indicated that patients’ level of satisfaction was good and very good. The highest level of satisfaction was related to the treatment of patients and use of medical equipment in the ambulance (n=578 patients, 87.7%) as well as the treatment practiced by the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) (n=575 patients, 87.24%). However, the lowest level of satisfaction was related to the absence of an active EMT in the rear cabin when transferring patients to the hospital (n=337 patients, 51.14%) and transfer of the patient from the accident scene to the ambulance (n=410 patients, 62.21%). Conclusion: Patients’ satisfaction with EMS was optimal. The minimum and maximum satisfaction rates were related to the absence of an active EMT in the rear cabin, treatment of the patient, and use of medical equipment.