Customer Satisfaction Survey Methods for Small Rural Hospitals

Which of the following survey methods provides the most reliable information?

A. a random sample of 20% of annual discharges/visits per unit

B. a random sample of 5% of all annual discharges/visits

C. all discharges/visits in January and July

D. all discharges/visits of customers with a last name beginning with the letters A-E

Answer:

A random sample of 20% of annual discharges/visits per unit is the most reliable method to evaluate customer satisfaction in a small, rural hospital.

Explanation: In most cases, when evaluating customer satisfaction in a healthcare setting such as a small, rural hospital, the most reliable survey method would be a random sample of a certain percentage of annual discharges or visits. The specific percentage depends on the total population size, but 20% is usually a good representative amount. Therefore, option A - a random sample of 20% of annual discharges/visits per unit - can be considered as the best method. This approach gives each individual an equal chance of being selected, which helps to ensure that the sample is representative of the entire population. On the other hand, options C and D can lead to skewed results because they don't provide the same level of randomness. In C, the month of discharge can affect the level of satisfaction, and in D, there's no sound reason why people with a last name starting with A-E should have a different opinion compared to others.