Initial findings with the PATient experience in the CATH Lab (PATCATH) patient-reported experience metric

In recent years, increasing attention has been given to capturing, evaluating, and improving the patient experience in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. To this end, the European PATient Experience in the CATHeterisation Laboratory (PATCATH) questionnaire (Supplementary Figure 1) was developed1. This is a novel tool, produced by the Patient Initiatives Committee of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), aiming to assess the patient’s experience of cardiac catheterisation. We report the initial experiences of using the tool in a high-volume tertiary referral centre.

The questionnaire was developed by the EAPCI in association with the European Society of Cardiology Patient Forum and divided into 3 domains, assessing experience before, during and after coronary angiography or intervention. Responses were recorded on a scale of strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree. The questionnaires were distributed to patients attending the catheterisation lab for angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during the time period of the pilot study. A research nurse distributed the questionnaire and explained the rationale for the study but did not assist the patient with completion of the questionnaire. Participation was anonymous and...