The role of patients and their relatives in ‘speaking up’ about their own safety – a qualitative study of acute illness

Abstract

Background Poor recognition of and response to acute illness in hospitalized patients continues to cause significant harm despite the implementation of safety strategies such as early warning scores. Patients and their relatives may be able to contribute to their own safety by speaking up about changes in condition, but little is known about the factors that influence this. This study examined the experiences and views of patients and their relatives to determine the potential for involvement in promoting their own safety.

Massive Postpartum Hemorrhage: Protocol and Red Code

“…Early detection will trigger subsequent prompt intervention that will either reverse further physiological decline or facilitate timely referral to appropriate personnel. The use of an early warning score is also supported by NICE in the guideline 'Acutely ill patients in hospital: recognition of and response to acute illness in adults in hospital' [73].…”

As a critical behavior to improve quality and patient safety in health care: speaking up!

“…Raising concerns from patients and their relatives are depend on their ability to recognize changes in 'selfmonitoring' , 'culture and system of health care' , 'clinical condition' and 'confidence and trust'. Healthcare staff display a role of mediator when there are concerns from patients and their relatives [33].…”

When Patient-Centered Care Isn't

“…2 Despite being bombarded with surveys, post-encounter telephone calls, 3 and requests to speak up about their medical care, 4,5 patients find that their complaints often are ignored and rarely lead to improvements. Two shortcomings underlie this paradox: 1) Current approaches to health care put the burden on patients to voice their concerns.…”

“…But patients usually don't complain, even when they believe that things have gone seriously wrong. [3][4][5] Many remain quiet, convinced that their opinions do not matter or that mere mention of a problem will provoke retaliation and poor care. 2,4,5 To minimize or eliminate these barriers to communication, healthcare systems and providers must take primary responsibility by building an environment in which patients and family members feel safe in expressing their concerns and are confident in the knowledge that their opinions will be welcomed and will improve their care.…”