Patient/client safety structures and processes in home care: A cross-sectional online survey

Introduction:The complexity of home care is demanding in terms of patient/client safety. The aim of this study was to explore patient/client safety structures and processes within organizations providing home care during the reform of home care and the supervision of patient/client safety in Finland...

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Main Authors: Heli Vaartio-Rajalin, Auvo Rauhala, Jaana Kalliokoski, Tuija S Ikonen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences 2022-10-01
Series:Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Journal
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Online Access:https://psj.mums.ac.ir/article_21613_c1cf81769564c4c6839f8c779a546364.pdf
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author Heli Vaartio-Rajalin
Auvo Rauhala
Jaana Kalliokoski
Tuija S Ikonen
author_facet Heli Vaartio-Rajalin
Auvo Rauhala
Jaana Kalliokoski
Tuija S Ikonen
author_sort Heli Vaartio-Rajalin
collection DOAJ
description Introduction:The complexity of home care is demanding in terms of patient/client safety. The aim of this study was to explore patient/client safety structures and processes within organizations providing home care during the reform of home care and the supervision of patient/client safety in Finland. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory online survey for persons responsible for safety strategies at home care organizations (home nursing, hospital-at-home, home services). Results: The majority of organizations (89%) had a patient/client safety plan, which included central safety strategies and responsibilities. However, the authority responsible for the various dimensions of patient/client safety varied. Regarding responsibility for the supervision of care personnel’s surveys and reports of the hazardous and adverse events, a significant difference was seen between organizations providing both home nursing and social services versus only social services (94% vs. 49%, [CI 34%-64%] p <.001). Patient and client centered measures varied from patient/client service and care consultation processes (81%) to patient/client safety observation rounds (24%). Care personnel were seen to have a function as Everyday safety “watchdogs” or “Safety whistleblowers”, and employ a broad range of preventive and reactive methods for patient/client safety. Conclusion:Most organizations were seen to have well-established, organizational patient/client safety structures and processes. The methods used to identify, prevent, minimize, and report safety problems were mostly proactive, indicating an active, analytic, and learning safety culture. Current challenges included involving service users and new employees in safety processes to create a truly comprehensive and sustainable safety culture.
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spelling doaj-art-71ddaee9b4c1422b900bbbda79ef6c992025-08-20T03:08:46ZengMashhad University of Medical SciencesPatient Safety and Quality Improvement Journal2345-44822345-44902022-10-0110413114610.22038/psj.2022.68780.138021613Patient/client safety structures and processes in home care: A cross-sectional online surveyHeli Vaartio-Rajalin0Auvo Rauhala1Jaana Kalliokoski2Tuija S Ikonen3Faculty of Pedagogy and Welfare Studies, Department of Health Sciences, Abo Akademi University, Finland.Finnish Centre for Client and Patient Safety, Wellbeing Services County of Ostrobothnia, Vaasa, Finland; and Faculty of Pedagogy and Welfare Studies, Department of Health Sciences, Abo Akademi University, Finland.Master of Health Sciences (MSc), Finnish Centre for Client and Patient Safety, Wellbeing Services County of Ostrobothnia, Vaasa, Finland.University of Turku, Public Health, Finland; and Finnish Centre for Client and Patient Safety, Wellbeing Services County of Ostrobothnia, Vaasa, Finland.Introduction:The complexity of home care is demanding in terms of patient/client safety. The aim of this study was to explore patient/client safety structures and processes within organizations providing home care during the reform of home care and the supervision of patient/client safety in Finland. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory online survey for persons responsible for safety strategies at home care organizations (home nursing, hospital-at-home, home services). Results: The majority of organizations (89%) had a patient/client safety plan, which included central safety strategies and responsibilities. However, the authority responsible for the various dimensions of patient/client safety varied. Regarding responsibility for the supervision of care personnel’s surveys and reports of the hazardous and adverse events, a significant difference was seen between organizations providing both home nursing and social services versus only social services (94% vs. 49%, [CI 34%-64%] p <.001). Patient and client centered measures varied from patient/client service and care consultation processes (81%) to patient/client safety observation rounds (24%). Care personnel were seen to have a function as Everyday safety “watchdogs” or “Safety whistleblowers”, and employ a broad range of preventive and reactive methods for patient/client safety. Conclusion:Most organizations were seen to have well-established, organizational patient/client safety structures and processes. The methods used to identify, prevent, minimize, and report safety problems were mostly proactive, indicating an active, analytic, and learning safety culture. Current challenges included involving service users and new employees in safety processes to create a truly comprehensive and sustainable safety culture.https://psj.mums.ac.ir/article_21613_c1cf81769564c4c6839f8c779a546364.pdfclient safetyhome careorganizational culturepatient safetyquality improvement
spellingShingle Heli Vaartio-Rajalin
Auvo Rauhala
Jaana Kalliokoski
Tuija S Ikonen
Patient/client safety structures and processes in home care: A cross-sectional online survey
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Journal
client safety
home care
organizational culture
patient safety
quality improvement
title Patient/client safety structures and processes in home care: A cross-sectional online survey
title_full Patient/client safety structures and processes in home care: A cross-sectional online survey
title_fullStr Patient/client safety structures and processes in home care: A cross-sectional online survey
title_full_unstemmed Patient/client safety structures and processes in home care: A cross-sectional online survey
title_short Patient/client safety structures and processes in home care: A cross-sectional online survey
title_sort patient client safety structures and processes in home care a cross sectional online survey
topic client safety
home care
organizational culture
patient safety
quality improvement
url https://psj.mums.ac.ir/article_21613_c1cf81769564c4c6839f8c779a546364.pdf
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AT auvorauhala patientclientsafetystructuresandprocessesinhomecareacrosssectionalonlinesurvey
AT jaanakalliokoski patientclientsafetystructuresandprocessesinhomecareacrosssectionalonlinesurvey
AT tuijasikonen patientclientsafetystructuresandprocessesinhomecareacrosssectionalonlinesurvey