Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the applications to Patient Rights Office in State Hospitals in izmir. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Registry Forms of Patient Rights Units in 26 State Hospitals in izmir between 2005-2007 years were evaluated. All state hospitals were included in this study without any preference. The dependent variable of the study was the application to Patient Rights Committee. The independent variables were gender, age, educational level of the patients and annual patient number. Data were analysed using chi-square test for trend by using Epi info 2000 program. FINDINGS: The patients who were 41 years of age and over and whose education level was primary school were the most frequently applying subjects. It was determined that the total number of applications to Patient Rights Units increased continuously during 2005-2007. The most frequent applications in this period were done for doctors (29%, 31 %, 24%, respectively), health workers (26%, 15%, 19%, respectively) and administrative personnel (18%, 29%, 29%, respectively). The most frequent reasons of application were about polyclinics (30%, 38%, 43%, respectively) and administrative departments (22%, 13%, 10%, respectively). Majority (86%) of the patient rights violations were solved at scene; it was determined that the number of applications referred to Patients Rights Committee in all over the cases decreased signifıcantly in each year during that time period (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: Adequate intrasectoral education to healthcare staff regarding patient rights should be given. The actions of patient right offices in hospitals should be supplied effectively, and the applications should be evaluated carefully.