title: Safety as experienced by patients themselves: a Finnish survey of the most recent period of care.
abstract: We examined patients' experiences of patient safety and participation in promoting safe care during their most recent care period. A survey of patients (N = 175) revealed that treatment, medication, and device safety were mostly experienced as very good or excellent, but responses varied by age and experience. Patients ages 66-75 were most critical of treatment and medication safety. Device safety was rated the worst aspect of safety. Twenty percent of respondents had experienced errors at some time during their care. Patients who had experienced errors and those who were treated at inpatient wards versus a day surgery unit were most critical towards patient participation. Open and transparent error management involving patients is needed to promote treatment, medication, and especially device safety.
authors.affiliation: Head Nurse Ylä-Savo SOTE Joint Municipal Authority, Iisalmi, Finland; Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Merja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sahlström
authors.forename: Pirjo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Partanen
authors.forename: Hannele
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Turunen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017050:Episode of Care; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D061214:Patient Safety; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Finland; patient experience; patient participation; patient safety; provider-patient communication