ObjectiveTo explore the influence factors on inpatients' satisfaction, in order to identify influence factors for improving inpatients' satisfaction. MethodsA sampling survey was conducted in hospitals at different levels in Sichuan province. The satisfaction of inpatients in these hospitals was investigated by self-designed questionnaire. Then, a structural equation model on influence factors of satisfaction was constructed. ResultsA total of 1 237 inpatients from 12 hospitals were surveyed. The total satisfaction of these patients was 82.14%. The patients' satisfaction of grade A tertiary hospital in Chengdu city was obviously lower than that of the prefecture- and county-level hospitals (all P values <0.05). The fitting degree of structural equation model was good; Inpatients' satisfaction was mainly influenced by 5 factors including hospital values (HV), service quality of doctors and nurses (SQ), service process (SP), convenience of resources (CR) and comfort of facilities (CF). Of the 5 factors, the HV and SQ respectively ranked the 1st and 2nd to the influence degree on satisfaction. ConclusionThis study identifies the key influence factors on inpatients' satisfaction. Specific measures should be taken by hospital administrators to improve the quality of medical services and the satisfaction of inpatients.