Threats to patient safety in the primary care office - First data from Switzerland

David Schwappach from the ISPM Bern and the Swiss Patient Safety Foundation conducted a study among Swiss primary care offices to assess safety threats in the medical office. This study is the first to report safety data for outpatient care in Switzerland.

Research on patient safety and medical errors has traditionally focused on in-patient care. While the majority of patients are treated in an outpatient setting, little is known about the frequency and nature of safety events in primary care. David Schwappach from the ISPM Bern and the Swiss Patient Safety Foundation conducted a study among Swiss primary care offices to assess safety threats in the medical office. This study is the first to report safety data for outpatient care in Switzerland. 603 doctors and medical practice assistants working in primary care participated in the study and responded to a standardized survey. They reported about the frequency of and harm associated with specific safety events ('hot-spots', such as diagnostic errors, drug interactions, etc.). Responders were also asked to name and rank three threats to patients safety they personally were most concerned about. Finally, safety climate in the offices was assessed. Quantitative and qualitative data methods are used to analyze results.

Doctors and medical practice assistants recognize diverse threats to patient safety in primary care. Involving both occupational groups in detection and analysis of risks in medical offices is valuable to improve collaboration and safety.

The study was awarded the "Förderpreis Managed Care 2011" by the Forum Managed Care. Results are currently being published. A first overview is presented here: http://www.saez.ch/pdf_d/2011/2011-39/2011-39-697.PDF.

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