Patients satisfaction with spa facilities

1. Patients satisfaction with spa facilities P. Géher Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary

2. QUALITY STANDARDS FOR EUROPEAN SPAS • Continuous quality improvement • Personel • Treatment methodology • Facilities.. J. Zalesakova; Parád, 2004

3. The need of quality standards in Balneology: the portuguese experience" • ISO 9001:2000“Quality Management Systems” • It may be implemented in any organization no matter it’s dimension or activity. P. Cantista, Parád, 2004

4. Balneotherapy - 9813 • Quality – 363 609 • Control – 1 818 115 • Balneotherapy + quality + control =

5. Ahn JH, Size distribution, sources, and seasonality of suspended particles in southern California marine bathing waters.Environ Sci Technol. 2007:695-702. Zotova VI, [Microbiological quality control of fresh and mineral water]Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2004:49-51. Carpentier PH, [Incidence of erysipelas of the lower limbs in a spa resort. Efficacy of a strategy of sanitation education (La Lechere: 1992-1997)]Mal Vasc. 2001;26:97-9. Wendt C, [Field study to obtain Legionella-free water from showers and sinks of a transplantation unit by a system of water filters]Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed. 1995;196:515-31.. Adilov VB, [The current requirements for assessing the qualitative composition of mineral waters and peloids]Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 1994;:42-3. Artz J. [Preservation, protection and control of medicinal springs with special reference to federally recognized medicinal springs]Offentl Gesundheitswes. 1989;51:428-34. Gafitanu E, [The preparation and control of extractive solutions of yarrow (Millefolii herba) for use of the preparations in medicated baths. I]Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 1988;92:121-2.

6. Jedlik - grant • Á. Jedlik (1800-1895), physicist. • National Office for Research and Technology. • 2 million EUR/2006.

7. Thermal tourism in Hungary • Medical Spa treatment – Wellness – Medical – Wellness • 1.1 million visitors – 3.4 million night spent in spa hotels. • 28 spa hotel, 49 wellness hotel. • Piorities (suggestions): • Improvement of the scientific basis of spa therapy. • Improvement of wellness facilities. • Increase of the high quality hotel capacities. • Marketing. • Education.

8. 17 47 11 28 35 37 22 =197 Thermal spa facilities in Hungary

10. Questionnaire • Demographic data (2) • Balneological history (17) • Spa related questions (3) • Population: • Patients (Spa treatment) • Visitors (Wellness)

11. Demographic data • 17 women and 3 men. • Mean age: 60,3+/-11,61 (45-82). Indication for spa treatment: • Osteoarthritis of the spine, hip or knee.

12. Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God • Hot spring water with: • calcium, • magnesium, • hydrogen-carbonate, • sulphate, • chloride, • sodium and fluoride ions.

13. Spa treatment • Consecutive in-patient. • Thermal bath (32 C0) of the hospital. • 3 times weekly. • 20 minutes each session. • Other treatment modalities allowed. • Informed consent, ethical approval by the local EC.

14. Balneological history • 35 % first time in thermal bath. • Those who were treated: 2.8 spa were visited.

15. Informed patient • All patient received information about the treatment. • All except one received the information from the treating physician. • 25 % would get a written; 75 % would get a verbal information.

16. Patients interests

17. The subjective effects of the treatment • All patients considered the treatment as „useful”. • A minimum of 5.9+/- 2.51 (5 - 10) treatments produced significant subjective effect. • No side-effect was noticed by the patients.

18. Spa therapy and health care • 20 % of the primary care physician were not aware about the spa treatment of her/his patient. • 6/10 patient got medication for disease treated by spa facilities. • 3 out of 17 patients seek for alternative treatments as well.

19. Dissatisfaction with spa facilities

20. Satisfaction with spa facilities

21. Thank you for your attention