The Imperative of Patient Safety and Safety Culture in Contemporary Healthcare

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the realm of modern healthcare, patient safety and the fostering of a robust patient safety culture are of paramount importance. These interrelated concepts are crucial to the delivery of high-quality care and are fundamental to achieving optimal healthcare outcomes. Patient safety has a direct and significant impact on health outcomes. When healthcare institutions and practitioners prioritize safety protocols, they effectively mitigate the risks associated with medical errors, adverse events, and preventable harm. This proactive approach not only contributes to reduced mortality rates, but also minimizes complications and decreases the duration of hospital stays. In an era characterized by increasingly complex medical interventions, maintaining an unwavering focus on safety is essential to navigating these intricacies effectively. This is particularly relevant regarding the health and safety of healthcare personnel, which is strongly connected with patient safety. The health of operators is also a priority for patient safety. Moreover, a positive patient safety culture engenders trust between healthcare providers and patients. When patients perceive themselves to be in a safe and caring environment, they are more likely to actively participate in their treatment regimens, adhere to medical advice, and maintain open lines of communication with their healthcare teams. This enhanced patient engagement is pivotal in achieving favorable health outcomes. An emphasis on patient safety and the cultivation of a positive safety culture can yield substantial economic benefits for healthcare systems. Furthermore, this focus contributes to a culture of continuous improvement in healthcare. It encourages the reporting and analysis of errors, near-misses, and adverse events, fostering an open approach to identifying and addressing safety issues. This transparency drives innovation and the development of enhanced practices, ultimately leading to improvements in the overall quality of healthcare. The positive ramifications of a strong safety culture extend to healthcare providers as well. When staff members feel empowered to voice safety concerns and are supported in their efforts to provide safe care, it results in improved morale and enhanced teamwork. Patient safety and the culture of patient safety are not merely desirable attributes of healthcare, but are essential components that underpin the entire healthcare system. Their influence permeates patient outcomes, fosters trust, enhances efficiency, drives continuous improvement, and optimizes the work environment for healthcare providers. As such, these concepts must remain at the forefront of healthcare policy formulation, clinical practice, and medical education to ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective care for all patients.

Dr. Hana Brborović
Dr. Ognjen Brborovic
Prof. Dr. Reinhard Strametz
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ijerph	-	7.3	2004	25.8 Days	CHF 2500	Submit
Medicina medicina	2.4	3.3	1920	17.1 Days	CHF 2200	Submit
Hospitals hospitals	-	-	2024	15.0 days *	CHF 1000	Submit
Healthcare healthcare	2.4	3.5	2013	20.3 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Safety safety	1.8	3.2	2015	29.7 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Geriatrics geriatrics	2.1	3.3	2016	23.9 Days	CHF 1800	Submit

* Median value for all MDPI journals in the second half of 2024.

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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26 pages, 3668 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Implementing an ICU Discharge Readiness Checklist on Patient Safety Culture: A Quasi-Experimental Research Study

by Vanja Vončina, Hana Brborović, Ognjen Brborović, Alka Makovšek and Jadranka Pavičić Šarić

Healthcare 2025, 13(7), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070816 - 3 Apr 2025

Viewed by 205

Abstract

Background: Discharging patients from intensive care units (ICUs) poses significant risks for adverse events (AEs), contributing to hospital morbidity and mortality. To mitigate premature transitioning, an ICU discharge readiness checklist (ICU-DRC) was developed. Enhanced patient safety culture (PSC) is crucial for reducing AEs [...] Read more.

Background: Discharging patients from intensive care units (ICUs) poses significant risks for adverse events (AEs), contributing to hospital morbidity and mortality. To mitigate premature transitioning, an ICU discharge readiness checklist (ICU-DRC) was developed. Enhanced patient safety culture (PSC) is crucial for reducing AEs and improving outcomes. Given the pressing need to enhance PSC in ICUs, this study evaluates the impact of ICU-DRC implementation on PSC, aiming to address a critical gap in quality improvement. Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental study assessed PSC before and after a year-long ICU-DRC intervention at Merkur Clinical Hospital in Zagreb, Croatia. Healthcare providers from two distinct ICUs participated voluntarily in the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture. The surgical ICU, where the intervention was applied, employed 106 providers, while the medical ICU, which did not implement the intervention, had 42 providers. Results: Initial response rates were 58% for the intervention group and 45% for the control group, with post-intervention rates of 53% and 48%, respectively. The ICU-DRC was utilized with a fidelity of 65.7%. Due to the non-normal distribution found for most variables, non-parametric analytical procedures were applied. In baseline measurements, the control group outperformed the intervention group in three out of fourteen PSC dimensions. Post-intervention, PSC scores in the intervention group significantly improved in one dimension, whereas three dimensions in the control group showed significant declines, resulting in superior PSC outcomes for four dimensions in the intervention group during the second measurement. Conclusions: Applying the ICU-DRC as an isolated safety intervention aimed at optimizing ICU patient throughput resulted in observable patterns of improvement in several PSC dimensions, with statistically significant changes in specific areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Imperative of Patient Safety and Safety Culture in Contemporary Healthcare)

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12 pages, 947 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Pain and Anxiety Levels After Periodontal Treatment

by Ebru Sarıbaş and Mehmet Cudi Tuncer

Medicina 2025, 61(3), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61030464 - 7 Mar 2025

Viewed by 466

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, dental anxiety is one of the most common problems among the masses globally, causing individuals to avoid seeking dental treatment, which in turn leads to deterioration of quality of life related to oral health. Despite the technological advances in [...] Read more.

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, dental anxiety is one of the most common problems among the masses globally, causing individuals to avoid seeking dental treatment, which in turn leads to deterioration of quality of life related to oral health. Despite the technological advances in dentistry such that less pain is felt and high comfort performance is maintained, dental anxiety is still seen in individuals. Non-surgical periodontal therapy can be the cause of tension, anxiety, and stress. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible relationships between pain perception and dental anxiety in individuals who underwent supragingival scaling. Materials and Methods: In our study, 226 individuals (114 female and 112 male) who were referred to the Dicle University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology and who underwent supragingival scaling treatment were included. Participants were asked to complete the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (M-DAS) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to determine anxiety and pain levels and questionnaires containing information on gender, age, education level, previous dental visits, and complications. Results: The M-DAS score for females was significantly higher compared to males (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between genders regarding VAS scores. No statistically significant difference existed between M-DAS and VAS scores and education levels. There was a statistically significant relationship between M-DAS and VAS scores in females (p < 0.05). Conclusions: M-DAS and VAS scores in male patients did not show any statistically significant difference. Female patients exhibited higher levels of dental anxiety, and VAS scores were increased in females; M-DAS scores were also increased. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Imperative of Patient Safety and Safety Culture in Contemporary Healthcare)

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17 pages, 478 KiB  

Open AccessSystematic Review

Understanding Medication Errors in Intensive Care Settings and Operating Rooms—A Systematic Review

by Katarzyna Kwiecień-Jaguś, Wioletta Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska and Monika Kopeć

Medicina 2025, 61(3), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61030369 - 20 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1364

Abstract

Background and Objectives: A medication error can occur at any stage of medication administration at the ward, from the moment the medication is prescribed through the preparation to the administration to the patient. The statistics indicate that the scale of the problem, which [...] Read more.

Background and Objectives: A medication error can occur at any stage of medication administration at the ward, from the moment the medication is prescribed through the preparation to the administration to the patient. The statistics indicate that the scale of the problem, which has a significant impact on the safety and health of patients, is still poorly known. The purpose of the systematic review was to synthesise the published research about the number of medication errors in operating room theatres and intensive care units. Materials and Methods: The literature review was conducted in the third quarter of 2023. The overview included papers found in Science Direct, EBSCO, PubMed, Ovid, Scopus, and original research papers published in English meeting the PICOS criteria. Original articles published between 2017 and 2023 that meet the inclusion criteria were included for further analysis. Results: The review included 13 articles and original studies, which met the PICOS-based criteria. The analyses confirmed that the operating theatre’s medication error rate was 7.3% to 12%. In the case of intensive care units, the medication error rate was from 1.32 to 31.7%. Conclusions: Medication errors in the operating room and intensive care are high. However, the values presented herein do not differ from the general Medication Error Index for medical centres, as calculated by the World Health Organization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Imperative of Patient Safety and Safety Culture in Contemporary Healthcare)

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9 pages, 769 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

“To Be or Not to Be” a Conscientious Objector to Voluntary Abortion: An Italian Web-Survey of Healthcare Workers

by Carmen Imma Aquino, Libera Troìa, Maurizio Guida and Daniela Surico

Medicina 2024, 60(12), 1984; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60121984 - 2 Dec 2024

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Abstract

Background and Objectives: Conscientious objection to voluntary abortion remains a hot debate topic. This could affect the accessibility to pregnancy termination. Our aim is to evaluate the possible aspects related to an operators’ choice about objection for voluntary abortion, such as the [...] Read more.

Background and Objectives: Conscientious objection to voluntary abortion remains a hot debate topic. This could affect the accessibility to pregnancy termination. Our aim is to evaluate the possible aspects related to an operators’ choice about objection for voluntary abortion, such as the following: the abolition of the time limit, the instruction of a multi-collegiate commission, the introduction of pharmacological rather than surgical procedures, the fetal/maternal illness and the case of sexual violence. Materials and Methods: This is an observational, descriptive study that involves a cohort of Italian healthcare workers who answered a web-survey. Results: Of the total 352 respondents, only 20.8% affirmed to be objectors versus 79.2% of non-objectors. For the objectors, 72.2% declared that they would not change status in case of pharmacological abortion; 79.7% would not suspend their choice for interruption in the second trimester; 63.3% would suspend the objection with a multi-collegiate commission, and 69.0% would discontinue their objection in the case of sexual violence. 72.0% of the total participants declared that the abolition of the time limit could have a resecuring impact on women’s choice. Conclusions: Most operators declared that the abolition of the time limit could have beneficial effects. Among the objectors, the status would change especially with the introduction of a multi-collegiate commission, and in case of serious maternal/fetal illness and/or sexual violence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Imperative of Patient Safety and Safety Culture in Contemporary Healthcare)

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16 pages, 667 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Promoting Family Involvement in the Management of Delirium in Intensive Care: Scoping Review

by Sandra Lange and Wioletta Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska

Medicina 2024, 60(12), 1934; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60121934 - 24 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1765

Abstract

Background: In recent years, family involvement in ICU patient care has become increasingly significant. Family involvement in delirium management, while desirable, can be difficult for loved ones. Therefore, every attempt should be made and interventions developed to promote and support the family [...] Read more.

Background: In recent years, family involvement in ICU patient care has become increasingly significant. Family involvement in delirium management, while desirable, can be difficult for loved ones. Therefore, every attempt should be made and interventions developed to promote and support the family in this process. The aim of this review was to analyze the available literature on interventions and strategies used by ICU staff to support and promote family involvement in the management of delirium in critically ill patients. Methods: The databases searched included the following: MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. Studies were included in the review if they were conducted in adult intensive care units and/or addressed interventions to support and promote family/relatives’ involvement in delirium management. Findings: A total of 368 database articles were reviewed. After removing duplicates and checking for inclusion and exclusion criteria, four articles were finally included in the analysis. Research gaps and content analysis identified promotional and supportive interventions for family involvement in delirium management: (I) Education; (II) Mentoring; (III) Partnership. Conclusions: Research gaps to be filled are as follows: (I) the scope of interventions that support and promote family involvement in delirium management; (II) interventions that enhance feelings of efficacy among family members and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression; and (iii) the impact of specific interventions on patients’ delirium outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Imperative of Patient Safety and Safety Culture in Contemporary Healthcare)

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