Quality of Angiography Services as Perceived by the Cardiovascular Diseases Patient

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Angiography remains as the gold standard for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The aim of this study was to assess the quality of angiography services in Shahid Madani Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 in Shahid Madani Hospital. A sample of 203 CVD patients who had received angiography services was surveyed. Data was collected using valid and reliable questionnaire with 42 items related to 12 aspects of service quality. Total score service quality was derived by combining the scores of Performance and Importance as perceived by the patients. Scores > 8 was considered as ‘High', 6-8 as ‘Moderate', and Findings: A moderate overall score of 7.00 was given to the angiography services quality. While continuity, communication, and autonomy gained high scores, choice of provider, prompt attention, and quality of basic amenities, and confidentiality scored moderately, and support groups, dignity, safety, and prevention received low scores. Conclusions: The moderate assessment of angiography services quality shows that there is a considerable room for improving these services. To this end, prevention and safety should receive the first priority in services quality improvement plans. Possible useful strategies in this regards include briefing the patients about the adverse effects of the drugs, trading them training on control and prevention of cardiovascular disease, and empowering them for self-care.