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

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

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

Balneotherapy Balneotherapy Quality – Quality – Control – Control – Balneotherapy + quality + control = Balneotherapy + quality + control =

A Ahn JH, Size distribution, sources, and seasonality of suspended particles in southern California marine bathing waters.Environ Sci Technol. 2007: , 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: )]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: 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: 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.,

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

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 the scientific basis of spa therapy. Improvement of wellness facilities. Improvement of wellness facilities. Increase of the high quality hotel capacities. Increase of the high quality hotel capacities. Marketing. Marketing. Education. Education.

=197 Thermal spa facilities in Hungary

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

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.

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

Spa treatment Consecutive in-patient. Thermal bath (32 C 0 ) of the hospital. 3 times weekly. 20 minutes each session. Other treatment modalities allowed. Informed consent, ethical approval by the local EC.

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

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.

Patients interests

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

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.

Dissatisfaction with spa facilities

Satisfaction with spa facilities

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