| dc.description.abstract | A three-month descriptive cross-sectional survey about the care of 400 patients referred for radiological investigations at KNH X -ray department and the findings are presented. The specific purpose of this survey was to determine the present level of patient care in both content and provision in the x-ray department of KNH and make recommendations for the development of the imaging services. To obtain the necessary information for this research, patients were required to complete a questionnaire comprising of general aspects of care. The technical aspects of care were evaluated by use of another questionnaire. Employees of KNH and all the on-call patients were excluded from the study. All the radiological examination rooms were covered during this survey. The questionnaires used had both open and closed questions. The data from closed questions allowed for numerical analysis. A total of233 females and 167 males were surveyed. The age range was from a 2-day old neonate to adults above 70 years with a median age of 26 years. The majority (50%) of patients were referred from the KNH clinics. Out of388 patients that responded, 47.95% came unaccompanied to the X-ray department. For 75.5% of the participants, the sign posting within the X-ray department was easy to follow. The majority (84.4%) of the patients were made to wait for more than 10 minutes at the reception desk. The staff at the reception was found to be considerate and kind by 63.2% of the respondents. The waiting area was overcrowded and boring to 62.8% of the participants. It was also the area that was most criticized in the study. The level of cleanliness was judged acceptable. The changing gowns were oversize for 44.4% of the 81 respondents. 93.50/0 of the patients were booked. 900/0 of those that were given instructions for the radiological examination found the explanation easy to follow. The KNH charges for radiological examinations in comparison with other hospitals in Nairobi were reasonable. The majority of the comments from the open-ended questions were compliments for staff. The practice of technical aspects of care at the KNH X-ray department by radiographers and radiologists was impressive. In conclusion, many of the responses from this study, especially from the openended questions, were very reasonable and valuable as the basis for any improvements in the x-ray department. The majority of measures required by patients could be best facilitated by the formation of a department customer relation's workshop. The group should comprise a number of staff that is committed to a more patient-oriented service. The first task for this group is to form an action plan for the patient Waiting area, as it was the area most criticized in the study. Further to this, there is need for regular continuing medical education programs for both radiographers and radiologists to enhance their practice to even greater heights of excellence. | en_US |
