Patient waiting time at a HIV Clinic in a Regional Hospital in Swaziland

Abstract

The aim of the study was to measure patient waiting and service times, describe the causes of high waiting time as well as to determine staff and patient derived norms on waiting times at the Manzini Regional Hospital HIV Clinic. Literature reviewed show that complaints regarding long waiting time have been effectively dealt with through patient flow analysis studies, which measure patient waiting and service times as well as other characteristics. A descriptive cross sectional quantitative survey methodology was undertaken using a time-delimited sample of all patients attending the HIV clinic over one week and all the staff who were in contact with the patients. Waiting time tracking instruments and short questionnaires were used to collect data from both patients and staff. Data were analysed quantitatively.