Safety attributes in primary care: understanding the needs of patients, health professionals, and managers

The aims of this study were (1) to identify attributes for patient safety at a primary healthcare level and (2) to analyze conceptions of patients, professionals, and managers about how these attributes are being addressed. This was a qualitative study. Participants were recruited from three primary...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Public health (London) Vol. 171; pp. 31 - 40
Main Authors:	de Vasconcelos, P.F., de Freitas, C.H.A., Jorge, M.S.B., de Carvalho, R.E.F., de Sousa Freire, V.E.C., de Araújo, M.F.M., de Aguiar, M.I.F., de Oliveira, G.Y.M., Bezerra dos Anjos, S.J.S., Oliveira, A.C.S.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2019 Elsevier Science Ltd
Subjects:	Attributes Clinical governance Community participation Dentistry Dentists Discontinuity Family practice Health care Interruptions Medical personnel Nurse managers Nurses Patient communication Patient safety Patients Physicians Primary care Primary health care Qualitative research Safety Teamwork Patient safety Clinical governance Primary health care Family practice
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Summary:	The aims of this study were (1) to identify attributes for patient safety at a primary healthcare level and (2) to analyze conceptions of patients, professionals, and managers about how these attributes are being addressed. This was a qualitative study. Participants were recruited from three primary care settings in Brazil. A total of 37 subjects (four physicians, three nurses, three dentists, three managers, five community assistants, and 19 patients) participated on interviews about their perceptions of safety attributes at the primary care settings involved in the study. Some of these participants attended a focus group meeting. A thematic categorical analysis was carried out to interpret the interviews. The main attributes for patient safety were valued by the participants. However, barriers such as discontinuity of care, interruptions during consultations, breakdowns in the communication, and ineffective teamwork were reported as frequent sources of patient safety issues. Reports of patients left unattended for excessive time because of the lack of accurate information and disruptions that took up to 35 min show that there is still a long way to go for primary care to be safe and effective in the study settings. It is necessary that the strategies meet the patient safety needs more effectively and efficiently. Further research is needed to understand the complex nature of the problems that affect patient safety in these settings so that appropriate decisions can be made. •People involved in primary health care acknowledge the attributes for patient safety.•Discontinuity of care and interruptions are perceived sources of safety issues.•Ineffective teamwork was reported by most workers at primary care services.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0033-3506 1476-5616
DOI:	10.1016/j.puhe.2019.03.021