Evaluating the Effect of Emergency Department Standard Policies on Patient Satisfaction with Functional Patient Care

This study evaluated the effect of Emergency Department (ED) standard policies on patient satisfaction with functional patient care. Specifically, it assessed the level of implementation of ED standard policies, determined the levels of functional patient care and patient satisfaction, examined the relationship between ED standard policies and patient satisfaction, and investigated the mediating role of functional patient care processes. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design was employed. Data were collected from 100 ED patients using a researcher-developed questionnaire adapted from validated healthcare quality and patient satisfaction instruments. Statistical tools included frequency and percentage distribution, weighted mean, standard deviation, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, and mediation analysis. The findings revealed that respondents agreed that ED standard policies were adequately implemented (M = 2.91), functional patient care was satisfactorily delivered (M = 2.93), and patient satisfaction was generally high (M = 2.95). Respondents also strongly agreed (Grand Mean = 3.42) that effective ED policies positively influence patient satisfaction through efficient patient care processes. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a very strong positive relationship between ED standard policies and patient satisfaction (r = 0.93), indicating that improved policy implementation is associated with higher patient satisfaction. Mediation analysis further suggested that functional patient care processes play an important role in explaining how ED policies influence patient satisfaction. The study concludes that effective implementation of ED standard policies enhances the quality of patient care and improves patient satisfaction. It recommends strengthening policy implementation, improving communication, patient flow, and care coordination, providing continuous staff development, and regularly monitoring patient satisfaction. Future studies should include multiple healthcare institutions and employ more advanced mediation techniques to further validate these findings.