Does implementation of ISO standards in hospitals improve patient satisfaction?

Introduction: Around the world, a large number of projects have been developed with the aim of assessing patient satisfaction especially in hospitals. As an important indicator of the quality of health care system, Patients' perception of health care has been the center of attention over the recent 20 years

Method: 402 patients who were hospitalized in teaching hospitals affiliated to the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were investigated. Patients' satisfactions of the health care services were assessed using the translated and modified version of the KQCAH consisted of 44 questions divided to7 categories of Respect and Caring, Effectiveness and Continuity, Appropriateness, Information, Efficiency, Meals, First Impression, Staff Diversity. All of the patients were asked to fill out the questionnaire [with written informed consents] at the time of discharge from the hospitals

Results: Regarding total score of patient satisfaction the ISO-certified hospitals did not show advantages over the uncertified hospitals. The total score of patients' satisfaction ranged from 66.5 to 77.5 in. Overall, only in one ISO-certified hospital the total score of patient satisfaction representing all dimensions, was significantly higher comparing to other hospitals included in the study

Conclusion: It seems that solitary application of ISO standards could not improve patient satisfaction in hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

financial cost of preventive and curative programs for breast cancer: a case study of women in Shiraz-Iran

This cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the average costs of breast cancer screening and treatment among women with the age of 25 and over in Shiraz-Iran. Three majors hospitals affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences [SUMS] were selected for data collection. Financial documents and interviews with the hospitals' financial officers were used for data collection. Finding shows that the total cost of screening would be 5,847,544.96 US dollars for age groups of 25-34 and 35 and above, demonstrating the huge expense of screening programs. On the other hand, the average cost of breast cancer treatment for each patient would be 3608.47, 996.89, and 311.47 US dollars for mastectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, respectively. In addition, the total average cost for treatment of 2217 patients would be 1,466,988.9 US dollars, which is much less than screening programs expenses. It is concluded that although screening can be effective for improving quality of life and treatment effectiveness, considering the high costs of screening, it is not economical in Iran. Screening methods within suitable intervals, and also considering patients' medical history have been recommended by the present study