Patient safety in the understanding of health care students

Descriptive cross study, held in 2015 with 638 students at the Health Sciences Center of the Federal University of Santa Maria, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The study used a questionnaire with variables related to the characterization of students, the conceptual and attitudinal aspects of human error and patient safety, made available online in the Student Portal.

Results

A higher percentage of students reported having no formal training on the subject. The study revealed aspects conside4red fundamental to the safety culture, such as the importance of systemic error analysis, the concern with the work environment and appreciation of teamwork. Some attitudes demonstrated uncertainty in the correct way of acting.

Conclusion

Students showed perceptions that were favorable to patient safety. The formalization of the subject at different levels of education is needed.

Patient safety; Health sciences students; Higher education

Conceptual aspects	SD		D		NO		A		SA

	N	%	N	%	N	%	N	%	N	%
Making mistakes in health care is inevitable.	69	10.8	305	47.8	32	5.0	203	31.8	29	4.5
There is a big difference between what the professionals know as being right and what is seen in daily health care practices.	7	1.1	81	12.7	31	4.9	374	58.6	145	22.7
Competent professionals do not make mistakes that cause harm to patients.	34	5.3	354	55.5	29	4.5	182	28.5	39	6.1
Committed students do not make mistakes that cause harm to patients.	40	6.3	353	55.3	37	5.8	175	27.4	33	5.2
In the presence of an error, all involved (professionals, students, managers, patient and family) should discuss the event.	3	0.5	33	5.2	27	4.2	280	43.9	295	46.2
For the human error analysis, it is important to know what the individual characteristics of the professional who made the mistake are.	13	2.0	92	14.4	88	13.8	351	55.0	94	14.7
After an error occurs, an effective prevention strategy is to work more carefully.	1	0.2	31	4.9	21	3.3	311	48.7	274	42.9

Attitudinal aspects	SD		D		NO		A		SA

	N	%	N	%	N	%	N	%	N	%
Professionals should not tolerate working in places that do not offer suitable conditions for patient care.	16	2.5	79	12.4	57	8.9	285	44.7	201	31.5
A systemic analysis of the facts should always be performed to implement human error prevention measures.	2	0.3	11	1.7	74	11.6	401	62.9	150	23.5
It is necessary to implement systemic error analysis in the health field. but preventive measures need to be taken whenever anyone is injured.	5	0.8	48	7.5	73	11.4	369	57.8	143	22.4
I always inform my professor about the presence of conditions that favor the occurrence of errors.	7	1.1	46	7.2	107	16.8	321	50.3	157	24.6
I always inform the professor/manager/person responsible for the internship location about the occurrence of an error.	4	0.6	34	5.3	91	14.3	332	52.0	177	27.7
I always communicate the occurrence of an error to my colleague.	9	1.4	67	10.5	78	12.2	358	56.1	126	19.7
I always communicate the occurrence of an error to the patient and his family.	12	1.9	122	19.1	175	27.4	254	39.8	75	11.8
If no damage occurs to the patient, a need to report the occurrence of the error to the patient and family should be analyzed.	33	5.2	129	20.2	120	18.8	303	47.5	53	8.3
Professors always perform corrective actions with the student so that he or she will not make new mistakes.	33	5.2	148	23.2	116	18.2	243	38.1	98	15.4
Systems to report the occurrence of errors make little difference in reducing future errors.	184	28.8	310	48.6	77	12.1	55	8.6	12	1.9
Only doctors can determine the cause of the error.	286	44.8	280	43.9	51	8.0	14	2.2	7	1.1
I always perform internship activities in places that promote good practices for the promotion of patient safety.	38	6.0	158	24.8	183	28.7	207	32.4	52	8.2
Whenever I identify situations that need improvement, I receive support from the institution to implement measures to promote safe practices.	87	13.6	199	31.2	216	33.9	110	17.2	26	4.1

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Escola de Enfermagem Rua São Manoel, 963 -Campus da Saúde , 90.620-110 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brasil, Fone: (55 51) 3308-5242 / Fax: (55 51) 3308-5436 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brazil
E-mail: revista@enf.ufrgs.br

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[1] Corresponding author: Graziela Maria Rosa Cauduro. E-mail: grazi.cau25@gmail.com