Surgical patients' experiences with the Patients' Safety Checklist (PASC): a qualitative interview study

Area of Science:

• Patient safety research
• Surgical care quality
• Health informatics

Background:

• Patient engagement in surgical safety remains a challenge, despite existing protocols.
• Preventable adverse events persist, necessitating novel safety interventions.
• A Patient's Safety Checklist (PASC) was developed to empower surgical patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore elective surgical patients' experiences using the PASC.
• To understand how PASC influences patient involvement in their surgical journey.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory qualitative study involving 31 elective surgical patients across three Norwegian hospitals.
• In-depth telephone interviews were conducted with patients who used PASC.
• Reflective thematic analysis was applied to transcribed interview data.

Main Results:

• Three themes emerged: patient awareness, patient actions, and utility value.
• PASC increased patient awareness of surgical information and preparation needs.
• Patients reported taking actions like medication control and health optimization, perceiving high utility.

Conclusions:

• PASC enhances patient involvement in surgical care and safety through clear, systematic information.
• The checklist aids patients in preparing for surgery and managing recovery.
• Further research is recommended for PASC implementation and adaptation to diverse clinical settings.