Parents' satisfaction in a single pediatric intensive care unit

Aim of study. To validate and apply an instrument to measure parents' degree of satisfaction from patients admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Population and methods. Picker's Pediatric Acute Care questionnaire was applied after translation to Spanish, determination of face and content validity and also reliability. Overall and domain satisfaction scores were calculated. Population was divided in High and Low Levels of satisfaction according to the answer to the question "How would you rate the care received?" Variables associated with High and Low Levels of satisfaction were identified. Results. Face validity, content validity and reliability were adequate (a Cronbach=0.87). The average overall satisfaction score was 85.7 (95% CI 83.5-87.8). Domain satisfaction scores were: general impression, 84.8 (95% CI 82.3-87.3); accessibility and availability, 88.8 (95% CI 86.4-91.2); consideration and respect, 85.7 (95% CI 83.1-88.3); coordination and integration of care, 84.6 (95% CI 80.9-88.3); information and communication, 85.5 (95% CI 82-89); relationship between parents and health care team, 89.5 (95% CI 86.7-92.3); physical comfort, 91.8 (95% CI 89-94.6) and continuity of care 70.9 (95% CI 64.9-76.9). This last score, significantly lower than previous ones, permitted recognize an area to improve; 89% (89/100) of parents were in High satisfaction group. All of them said that their children received the care needed when needed and 98.2% that their children were treated with dignity and respect and that both, doctors and nurses, were interested in easing pain. Conclusions. The validation of the instrument was adequate. Care received when needed, and treating patients in a dignified and respectful manner are associated with high levels of satisfaction.