Objectives: Urban adolescents with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) often seek care in emergency departments (ED). This study examines the effect of the ED patient experience - wait time (WT) and length of stay (LOS) - on satisfaction and medication adherence among urban adolescents with PID.
Methods: Adolescents with PID were enrolled in an urban teaching hospital ED. Chart data were matched with 2-week interview queries about satisfaction and medication adherence. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses evaluated the relationships between WT, LOS, provider type, satisfaction, and medication adherence.
Results: Of 83 participants, 96% report satisfaction with care, but only 45% report medication adherence. Mean WT was 55 minutes and mean LOS 200 minutes. Patients with higher LOS were less adherent with medication; this relationship became non-significant after adjustments. Patients seen by trainees had much longer LOS, but no differences in satisfaction or medication adherence.
Conclusions: Urban adolescents with PID report satisfaction with ED care despite prolonged LOS and medication adherence is poor. Optimization of ED workflows may improve outcomes in young women with PID.
Keywords: length of stay; patient satisfaction; pelvic inflammatory disease; wait time.