Am I safe here?: improving patients' perceptions of safety in hospitals.

Little is known about the current status of hospitalized patients' perceptions of safety or what affects them. This study analyzes safety ratings data of more than 600,000 patients. After describing how patients rate their safety in US acute care hospitals, we delineate the greatest opportunities for improving patient experiences of safety in hospitals. In addition, we offer practical strategies for planning improvements in safety-related elements of care from the patient's perspective.