Patient Perceptions of Nursing Care Quality: Insights from a Public Hospital in Mexico

Patient-centered care is a cornerstone of healthcare quality, with nursing professionals playing a pivotal role in addressing patients’ needs through effective interpersonal relationships. This cross-sectional observational study assessed the perceived quality of nursing care among 374 hospitalized patients at the General Hospital of Zone / Family Medicine No. 21 in León, Guanajuato, Mexico. Data were collected using the validated Patient-Perceived Nursing Care Quality Evaluation Questionnaire (CECOP), focusing on empathy and respect within the nurse–patient relationship. Descriptive statistics were employed to characterize the sample and summarize patient perceptions. Results indicated that 47% of patients rated nursing care as regular, 42% as good, and 11% as bad. Notably, patients with lower educational attainment more frequently perceived care as regular, whereas those aged 60–70 years predominantly rated care as good. These findings highlight the need to enhance communication and humanized nursing practices through continuous professional development to improve patient satisfaction and health outcomes.