Qualitative Study on the Perception of Patient Safety in Two Hospitals in Bahía Blanca City

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Few studies explore patients’ perception about health care safety. In general, they consider the perspective of quality of care and satisfaction with received treatment. OBJECTIVES: To describe the perception of patients about their safety during hospital stay. METHODS: A qualitative study with focus group technique was performed. It included patients admitted in 2010 in two hospitals of Bahía Blanca city, who were invited by phone from a non-probabilistic sample. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients participated in four focus groups. Dimensions and categories were defined using concepts provided by the participants. A matrix was built for data transfer. The analysis criteria were spontaneity, consensus and dissent. The defined dimensions were: health care team-patient relationship; patient´s rights; quality of care; perceived vulnerability; error and adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The results are exploratory and not generalizable. The research allowed to explore, describe and understand patients’ experiences and perspectives, deeply examining their perception of health care safety and their way to communicate it. These findings provide the methodological basis to develop initiatives for improving safety in health environments.