DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Postoperative patients’ satisfaction is a key indicator of the quality of nursing care, reflecting not only clinical competence but also communication, responsiveness, and emotional support. In Pakistan, limited evidence exists regarding satisfaction levels among surgical patients in tertiary hospitals, making it essential to identify strengths and gaps in nursing care delivery. Aim: The study aimed to assess postoperative patients’ satisfaction with nursing care at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, and to highlight areas requiring improvement. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to December 2024. A sample of 246 adult postoperative patients (≥18 years) hospitalized for at least 24 hours was recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale (NSNCS), translated into Urdu and back-translated for accuracy. SPSS version 25 was used for analysis, with descriptive statistics summarizing data and chi-square tests examining associations. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 246 participants, 64.5% were male and 39.6% were aged above 45 years. Overall, 63.5% reported being very or completely satisfied with nursing care, while 36.5% expressed only moderate satisfaction. The highest-rated aspects were nurses’ capability (70.6%) and time spent with patients (71.8%). The lowest-rated aspects were privacy (33.0%), individualized care (31.0%), and emotional support (36.3%). Conclusion: The findings reveal generally positive satisfaction with nursing care but highlight critical gaps in privacy, responsiveness, and individualized support. Addressing these areas through staffing improvements, enhanced communication, and patient-centered practices may significantly improve outcomes.