Patients' and healthcare workers' perceptions of a patient safety advisory

Abstract

Objective: To assess patients' and healthcare workers' (hcw) attitudes and experiences with a patient safety advisory, to investigate predictors for patients' safety-related behaviors and determinants for staff support for the advisory.

Design: Cross-sectional surveys of patients (n= 1053) and hcw (n= 275).

Setting: Three Swiss hospitals.

Participants: Patients who received the safety advisory and hcw caring for these patients.

Intervention: Patient safety advisory disseminated to patients at the study hospitals.

Main outcome measures: Attitudes towards and experiences with the advisory. Hcw support for the intervention and patients' intentions to apply the recommendations were modelled using regression analyses.

Results: Patients (95%) and hcw (78%) agreed that hospitals should educate patients how to prevent errors. Hcw and patients' evaluations of the safety advisory were positive and followed a similar pattern. Patients' intentions to engage in safety were significantly predicted by behavioral control, subjective norms, attitudes, safety behaviors during hospitalization and experiences with taking action. Hcw support for the campaign was predicted by rating of the advisory (Odds ratio (OR) 3.4, confidence interval (CI) 1.8-6.1, P< 0.001), the belief that it prevents errors (OR 1.7, CI 1.2-2.5, P= 0.007), perceived increased vigilance of patients (OR 1.9, CI 1.1-3.3, P= 0.034) and experience of unpleasant situations (OR 0.6, CI 0.4-1.0, P= 0.035).

Conclusions: The safety advisory was well accepted by patients and hcw. To be successful, the advisory should be accompanied by measures that target norms and barriers in patients, and support staff in dealing with difficult situations.