Degree of implementation of patient safety in primary health care in three Brazilian capitals

Abstract

Patient safety is concerned with reducing risks and harm related to healthcare and must be implemented within primary care to improve the quality of care provided. This study aimed to determine the degree of implementation of patient safety in primary care in the capitals of Southern Brazil. This is an evaluative study employing an implementation analysis via multiple case studies, conducted in the capitals of each state in Southern Brazil. Patient safety was found to be partially implemented in these capitals (46.6%, 62.5% and 53.3%), with no component achieving a satisfactory level of implementation in the evaluated cases. The care processes component obtained the highest scores (62.5%, 69.2% and 57.5%), whereas the continuing education component recorded the lowest percentages of implementation (33.7%, 56.7% and 27.5%). The components of resources, care processes, safety culture, and ongoing education need to be strengthened to fully implement patient safety and promote safer healthcare within primary care.

Keywords:
Patient Safety; Primary Health Care; Health Evaluation