title: Defining attributes of patient safety through a concept analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to report an analysis of the concept of patient safety.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Despite recent increase in the number of work being done to clarify the concept and standardize measurement of patient safety, there are still huge variations in how the term is conceptualized and how to measure patient safety data across various healthcare settings and in research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Concept analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Plus using the terms 'patient safety' in the title and 'concept analysis,' 'attributes' or 'definition' in the title and or abstract. All English language literature published between 2002-2014 were considered for the review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Walker and Avant's method guided this analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The defining attributes of patient safety include prevention of medical errors and avoidable adverse events, protection of patients from harm or injury and collaborative efforts by individual healthcare providers and a strong, well-integrated healthcare system. The application of Collaborative Alliance of Nursing Outcomes indicators as empirical referents would facilitate the measurement of patient safety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the knowledge gained from this analysis, nurses may improve patient surveillance efforts that identify potential hazards before they become adverse events and have a stronger voice in health policy decision-making that influence implementation efforts aimed at promoting patient safety, worldwide. Further studies are needed on development of a conceptual model and framework that can aid with collection and measurement of standardized patient safety data.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Courtney H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lyder
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McNeese-Smith
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Linda Searle
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.affiliation: Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Needleman
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D061214:Patient Safety / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care
keywords: concept analysis; nurse; nursing; patient safety