Figure 1:  Back of Postcard Showing Questions in the tool
 for Minute Evaluation of Satisfaction

Note that patients respond to two questions.  The first question asks the patient to rate their experience.  The second question provides the explanation for the rating.  In addition, the provider enters the information on visit code and location code prior to providing the postcard to the patient.  The question on the visit code establishes the sequence of the data collected and is important in analysis of time (number of visits) to dissatisfied customer.  The question on location relates the rating to a specific unit within the health care institution and allows the provider to focus on evaluation of specific units.  The Minute Evaluation of Satisfaction is typically printed on a postcard.  Preferably, patients should drop their response in a box before leaving the organization.  Some, may wish to mail the postcard at a later time.  The postcard contains no personal information and can be mailed without cover. 

Sometimes, when organizations want to understand more details about the reason behind the patient's complaint or praise, additional survey tools are used to gather more details.  Patients who rate their experience in the two extremes may be contacted to complete a more detailed survey tool.  In this manner, most patients are spared the burden of completing long and detailed survey tools.  Patients find the Minute Evaluation of Satisfaction more convenient than other longer tools, response rate improves and cost of collecting patient's satisfaction with care is reduced.