Evaluation of a Patient Safety Advisory Among Inpatients—A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine patients' experiences with an educational leaflet containing information about how patients can participate in their care and keep themselves safe during their hospital stay. Methods: Patients from different wards at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Skaraborg Hospital in Sweden were given the patient safety advisory during their hospital stay (n = 456). Patients (n = 219) completed a structured telephone interview 2–8 weeks after their discharge. Results: 137 patients read the safety advisory during their stay and 82 patients did not. More patients who read the safety advisory stated that they received discharge instructions than patients who did not read it. The patients were overall positive towards the safety advisory. The advisory seemed to function as a reminder as the majority already knew the information. One quarter of participants reported that they changed their behaviour based on the safety advisory. Conclusions: The safety advisory seemed to promote behavioural change as 25% stated that they altered their actions after reading it. One challenge when advising patients about patient safety is optimising how the information is given, as more than a third of the participants did not read the safety advisory despite receiving it. This study indicates that the educational leaflet could promote safety behavioural change among inpatients.