Improving patient safety culture in primary care

Abstract:

Doctors and other health care professionals may expose patients to possible untoward events during the diagnostic and treatment interventions. The more aggressive (invasive) a medical procedure is, the higher the possibility of untoward event. Therefore, professional literature and research mostly focus on ensuring patient safety in hospitals rather than in primary health care. In recent years, the focus on patient safety has been increasing. Patient safety is a complex problem requiring a systematic development of safety culture, which increases patient safety, decreases dissatisfaction among health care professionals and reduces litigation-related risks. 

Key words:
culture; patient safety; primary health care; organizational safety