A multicentric study addressing infection risks and cost implications following injections and infusions among hospitalized patients to validate Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs)

Authors: Jayalakshmi - Jayarajan, Malathi Murugesan, Vijay Samuel Richard, Parinitha Kaza, Grace Mary John, Dhanya Michael, Dr Pratibha Pereira, Ebinesh Antony, Evangeline Antony

DOI: 10.18231/j.ijmr.12046.1761805172

Keywords: PREMs, patient experience,healthcare quality,patient satisfaction,experience measures,patient safety

Abstract: Background In hospital care, injections and infusions—especially peripheral intravenous cannulations—are common but dangerous operations that frequently result in infections, safety concerns, and financial hardships. Although a lot of research has been done on healthcare professional practices, less is known about patient-reported experiences. Objective: To develop and validate a Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) tool assessing safety, communication, and cost-related concerns during injections and infusions among hospitalized patients across India. Methods: This multi-centric prospective study was conducted from September 2023 to April 2024 across 15 hospitals. A 20-item PREM tool covering 8 domains was developed and validated through expert panels, patient feedback, a pilot study (n=225), and a field study (n=581). Validity (CVI, CVR), internal consistency (KR-20), and factor analyses (EFA, CFA) were employed. Results: The tool demonstrated strong content validity (CVI: 0.98; CVR: 0.952) and internal consistency (KR-20: 0.8073). Completion rate was 97%. The main study revealed patient concerns in site disinfection (22%), communication gaps (18%), aseptic lapses (20%), and cost unawareness (28%). Conclusion: This validated PREM tool effectively captures patient experiences related to injection and infusion safety. It offers a practical approach for hospitals to identify gaps, enhance patient-centered care, and improve infection prevention and safety standards across diverse healthcare settings.