PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Jennifer L. Dixon
AU  - Matthew M. Tillman
AU  - Hania Wehbe-Janek
AU  - Juhee Song
AU  - Harry T. Papaconstantinou
TI  - Patients' Perspectives of Surgical Safety: Do They Feel Safe?
DP  - 2015 Jun 20
TA  - Ochsner Journal
PG  - 143--148
VI  - 15
IP  - 2
4099  - http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/15/2/143.short
4100  - http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/15/2/143.full
SO  - Ochsner J2015 Jun 20; 15
AB  - Background Increased focus on reducing patient harm has led to surgical safety initiatives, including time-out, surgical safety checklists, and debriefings. The perception of the lay public of the surgical safety process is largely unknown.Methods A 20-question survey focused on perceptions of surgical safety practice was distributed to a random sample of patients following elective operations requiring hospitalization. Responses were measured by a 7-point Likert scale. Qualitative feedback was obtained through nonphysician-moderated sessions. Participation was voluntary and anonymous.Results Surveys were distributed to 345 patients of whom 102 (29.5%) responded. Overall, patients felt safe as evidenced by scores for the questions “I felt safe the day of my surgery” (6.53 ± 0.72) and “Mistakes rarely happen during surgery” (5.39 ± 1.51). Patients undergoing their first surgery and patients with higher income levels were associated with a significant decrease in specific safety perceptions. Qualitative feedback sessions identified the physician-patient relationship as the most important factor positively influencing patient safety perceptions.Conclusion Current surgical safety practice is perceived positively by our patients; however, patients still identify physician-patient interactions, relationships, and trust as the most positive factors influencing their perception of the safety environment.