WAITING TIME ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS CARE AT THE NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Patient waiting time is a key indicator of hospital efficiency and significantly influences access, satisfaction, and the patient–provider experience. Prolonged wait times at tertiary, government-owned facilities can increase stress and dissatisfaction. The study evaluated outpatient waiting times, identify local determinants of prolonged waits, and assess their association with patient ratings of service delivery. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among outpatients of selected departments at NAUTH. Using multi-stage sampling followed by systematic random sampling, 463 participants completed structured questionnaires capturing estimated waiting time, perceived causes of delays, and service ratings. Data were analysed with SPSS v26. Associations were tested using Chi-square, with p<0.05 considered significant. Participants were predominantly female (65.2%), self-employed (63.5%), residents of Nnewi (63.9%), and follow-up patients (55.5%). Mean waiting time was 149.6 ± 95.9 minutes. The most commonly reported contributor to prolonged waiting was a very high patient load. Longer waiting times were associated with less favourable patient ratings of service delivery. Outpatient waiting times at this teaching hospital are frequently prolonged, negatively affecting patient perceptions of care. Strategies to optimize staffing levels and redesign patient flow such as scheduled appointments and workload redistribution are recommended to reduce waiting times and improve service experience.