Unclean waiting areas — and not long wait times — are a bigger problem for patients

A new survey of negative patient experiences finds that patients rank unpleasant waiting areas as a bigger reason for not returning to a facility than long wait times. Here’s more: 

• Waiting areas: Some 30% of respondents said dirty waiting areas at urgent care and primary care facilities would keep them from returning. Some 11% said the same for waiting times at urgent care centers, while 6% said so for primary care. 
• Urgent care: Patients visiting these facilities were twice as likely to report dissatisfaction if they had to see more than two health professionals during a visit. 
• Primary care: Women were 2.5 times more likely than men to say they wouldn’t want to return if the doctor or nurse forgets their name. At the same time, men were five times more likely to not want to return because of waiting rooms that lack entertainment options.