Factors Influencing Patient Waiting Time in Emergency Care Department at Khunyangu Sub-County Hospital of Butula Sub-County, Kenya

This descriptive study was conducted to describe patient waiting time in Emergency care Department in Khunyangu Sub-county Hospital, Butula Sub-county, Busia County of Kenya. The study population was respondents aged 16yrs and above. Interview schedule was used to collect data from 150 respondents regarding patient waiting time, patient satisfaction and quality improvement methodology. The results showed that overall patient waiting time was 86.67 %. The patients were most satisfied with pharmacy department (84 %) while least satisfied with laboratory department (35.11 %). From the Emergency department, the respondents had a good experience regarding clinicians service while only 43.11 % had a good experience at the triage. Approximately 65 % of technical staff respondents had heard of Continuous Quality Improvement methodology. Regarding overall waiting time, most patients (79 %) had to wait longer in terms of minutes while 35 % had good accessibility in terms of reduced waiting time. Statistical analysis showed a relationship between occupation, marital status, waiting time, quality improvement and experience of patients, and satisfaction. From this study, it is recommended that improvement is needed in some of the departments along patient flow and quality improvement.