[More patient safety through mehr-patientensicherheit.de? How a new platform strengthens the patient perspective]

The active involvement of patients is considered a key factor in improving patient safety. With the model project Mehr Patientensicherheit, Germany has, for the first time, implemented a Critical Incident Reporting System (CIRS) specifically for patients and their relatives, enabling the anonymous reporting of patient safety events. This study aimed to analyze the demographic characteristics of reporters, assess their evaluations of information status, severity, and recurrence risk of incidents, test hypotheses regarding potential influencing factors, and derive implications for the further development of the platform.

A cross-sectional observational study analyzed 1,390 reports submitted via the online platform www.mehr-patientensicherheit.de between January and October 2024. Data were collected anonymously using a structured questionnaire containing open-ended and closed-ended items. Descriptive analyses, chi-square tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied.

Of all reports, 73 % originated directly from patients, while 24.4 % were submitted by relatives reporting on behalf of patients. The majority of reports concerned female patients (62.2 %). Age distribution was as follows: >80 years (9.9 %), 70-79 years (12.4 %), 50-69 years (32.1 %), 30-49 years (29.1 %), 15-29 years (10.8 %), and <15 years (4.2 %). The majority of the incidents were reported from ambulatory and in-patient care settings. Overall, 71 % of reports indicated insufficient information regarding patient safety measures.

The findings demonstrate that patients can actively contribute to patient safety. The reports submitted provide novel insights into subjectively perceived risks, thereby complementing existing reporting systems with a previously underrepresented perspective. At the same time, the results highlight structural deficiencies, particularly in communication and feedback processes following serious incidents.

The patient-centered CIRS has the potential to foster cross-sector learning and advance the development of patient safety culture. The systematic inclusion of the patient perspective and the institutionalization of the system should be actively encouraged.