Does prioritizing patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic come at the expense of patient satisfaction?

Highlights

• Patient safety measures did not come at the expense of patient satisfaction, and rather may even improve it.

• Reducing wait time in the waiting area can improve patient experience and minimize patient-to-patient exposure.

• Text messaging to alert patient any scheduling change could be employed to avoid waiting room crowding.

• Extending facility hours with staff working in shifts could also be considered to add flexibility to patient appointments.

• The challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic gives us an opportunity to improve on the old practice model.