Perceptions of Healthcare Safety Are Mixed: Report

While healthcare safety outcomes improve, patients and employees share mixed views of overall safety.

By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor


While violence rises in healthcare facilities, people have mixed feelings about the facilities’ overall safety, according to a Press Ganey report. 

Press Ganey recently released its "Safety in Healthcare 2024" report, which examines various aspects of safety in healthcare. The report found positive trends in safety outcomes and outpatient perceptions but noted concerns about low safety perceptions among staff and inpatients. Reports of violence against nurses are increasing. 

Related: Arkansas Children's Hospital Reports Nine Violent Incidents in Two Months

Among the report’s key findings are these: 

  • Patients feel safer in clinics and medical offices compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic but feel less safe in hospitals. In 2023, 81.9 percent of patients in clinics felt very safe, but only 68.5 percent of hospital patients felt the same — a decrease of 5.1 percent. 
  • Workplace safety is improving after reaching record lows in 2021. Employees feel more confident about safety within their organizations, like having enough staff and being able to report mistakes without fear. But almost one-half of employees — especially nurses — still do not feel very safe compared to senior management. 
  • The number of reported assaults against nurses rose by 5 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. This increase might mean more incidents are being reported, but there were still a significant number of assaults, averaging around 1.89 per hour last year. 
  • Safety in healthcare is improving overall. Infections related to catheters, ventilators, central lines and hospital-acquired pressure injuries are all lower than they were before the pandemic. 

Jeff Wardon, Jr. is the assistant editor for the facilities market. 



April 4, 2024


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

On the Lookout: The Software Supply Chain as a Healthcare Cyberattack Vector

Staying watchful of third-party software vendors and their activities is critical for healthcare cybersecurity.


Hackensack Meridian Health & Wellness Center at Clifton Opens

The Clifton center expands health care access in Passaic County by reducing barriers such as travel and wait times.


Suffolk Breaks Ground on Expansion of White Plains Hospital

The 10-story, approximately 500,000-square-foot expansion is slated to open in 2028.


EVS Leadership Culture Critical in Preventing Hospital-Acquired Sepsis

Cleaning is an essential yet complex component for the prevention of HAI-induced sepsis.


Man Dies by Suicide in Emergency Department Waiting Room at Kansas Hospital

No staff or patients were harmed, and the man was alone in the waiting area when he shot himself.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.