Merja Sahlström1,2, Pirjo Partanen1, Mina Azimirad1, Tuomas Selander3, Hannele Turunen1,4. 1. Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. 2. Ylä-Savo SOTE Joint Municipal Authority, Iisalmi, Finland. 3. Kuopio University Hospital, Science Service Center, Kuopio, Finland. 4. Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
Abstract
AIMS: To study how internal medicine patients experienced patient safety during their recent periods of care and to identify explanatory factors for patient participation. BACKGROUND: Patient participation is recognized as one of the main factors promoting quality and safety and the identification of effective interventions that encourage safe care. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of patients (n = 462) in the internal medicine wards (n = 18) of all five Finnish university hospitals. Data were analysed using principal component analysis and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Most patients (78%) assessed the level of patient safety on their ward as "very good" or "excellent," 20% of patients assessed it as acceptable or worse. The following were considered to be the most important factors explaining higher patient participation: informing patients about the research and encouraging them to participate (β = 0.378, p < 0.001), providing necessary information promptly and comprehensibly (β = 0.393, p < 0.001), and enhancing patients' ability to identify patient safety incident(s) (β = 0.186, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare workers must improve by encouraging patient participation and providing relevant information to patients. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing leaders must be competent to support, lead, and allocate resources for the creation of an environment where patient participation can occur and is valued by health care workers.
AIMS: To study how internal medicine patients experienced patient safety during their recent periods of care and to identify explanatory factors for patient participation. BACKGROUND:Patient participation is recognized as one of the main factors promoting quality and safety and the identification of effective interventions that encourage safe care. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of patients (n = 462) in the internal medicine wards (n = 18) of all five Finnish university hospitals. Data were analysed using principal component analysis and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Most patients (78%) assessed the level of patient safety on their ward as "very good" or "excellent," 20% of patients assessed it as acceptable or worse. The following were considered to be the most important factors explaining higher patient participation: informing patients about the research and encouraging them to participate (β = 0.378, p < 0.001), providing necessary information promptly and comprehensibly (β = 0.393, p < 0.001), and enhancing patients' ability to identify patient safety incident(s) (β = 0.186, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare workers must improve by encouraging patient participation and providing relevant information to patients. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing leaders must be competent to support, lead, and allocate resources for the creation of an environment where patient participation can occur and is valued by health care workers.