Satisfaction of Oxygen Therapy Pilot Project in Two District Hospitals, Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the satisfaction level of patient’s care takers and health care workers related to oxygen therapy in a pilot project in two district hospitals, Savannakhet province, Lao PDR. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used. A quantitative cross-sectional study was used to describe satisfaction in patients' care takers. Qualitative in-depth interviews and walk-through observation was used to describe satisfaction in health care workers. Data were collected from January to April 2014 and included 50 patient’s care takers and 3 health care workers from two district hospitals. The study revealed that overall the majority of patient’s care takers were satisfied with oxygen therapy provided by health care workers in two district hospitals with 80% satisfied and 20% with neutral (few satisfied). Some issues, as re-using nasal prongs, led to dissatisfaction among patient’s care taker with 62.5% satisfied. Among patient’s care takers work as a farmer was positive associated with satisfaction (p-value < 0.05). Health care workers were satisfied with the oxygen therapy pilot project, especially, with the oxygen concentrator, and even with some minor problems with low flow of oxygen and alarm sounds. Through the investigators' direct observation, all concentrators and related equipment were functioning and in good maintenance in the hospital.  In conclusion, the oxygen therapy pilot project produced satisfaction among patient’s care takers and health care workers in both district hospitals because it provided more benefits such as was cost effective and can provide for all patients needed in short term of oxygen therapy in acute respiratory infection like pneumonia, asthma but didn’t have elderly patient admitted with long-term of oxygen therapy like COPD while collecting data. All ten concentrators were functioning and regularly used to provide oxygen to patients but as the dust can damage concentrator’s function. Dust prevention and regular cleaning of concentrators were required. The oxygen therapy pilot project contributed a lot benefit neither patient and health care worker and it was recommended  to expand project to other district hospitals to improve the health care system in Lao PDR.