Patient Satisfaction with the Physiotherapy Service in an Intensive Care Unit

Patient satisfaction with physiotherapy treatment is an important outcome measure that is often overlooked. The aim of this quality assurance activity was to assess patients' satisfaction with the physiotherapy service provided in an intensive care unit (ICU). A questionnaire evaluating factors pertaining to patient satisfaction was specifically designed for use in this study. Questionnaires were distributed to patients who had spent a minimum of two weeks in the Royal Adelaide Hospital ICU, within a few days of transfer to a general ward. Thirty five patients completed the questionnaire over the 15 month study period. Respondents reported a high degree of satisfaction with the personal characteristics of the physiotherapists seen and the physiotherapy service provided in ICU.