A Systematic Review of Staff Perspectives on Safety on Psychiatric Wards

Patients on psychiatric wards encounter harm while receiving care, which leads to millions of fatalities every year. Understanding staff's perspectives on patients' safety on psychiatric wards is crucial for managing safety issues and concerns. This study aims to provide a reliable summary of the current evidence on staff's perspectives regarding safety on psychiatric wards. Studies were identified through systematic searches of six electronic databases. The characteristics of eligible studies were limited to peer-reviewed qualitative research published in the English language within the last 10 years, which explored staff's perspective on patient safety in psychiatric wards. Seventeen studies met all the eligibility criteria. Data synthesis was performed using a thematic analysis approach, and four major themes were identified: perception of safety, safety interventions, therapeutic environment, staff and patients' safety. Patient safety on psychiatric wards is multifaceted, necessitating a balance between protection and autonomy, effective environmental design, compassionate care, and staff well-being. Safety interventions must consider both patients' needs and the emotional and physical demands on staff to create a therapeutic and secure environment.