Perception of Safety Conditions for Chronically Ill Patients in the Hospital Environment in Colombia

Abstract

Objectives: Describe, compare and associate the perception of safety conditions for chronically ill patients in the hospital environment in Colombia and in its five geographic macro-regions (Amazon, Andean, Caribbean, Orinoquía and Pacifico). Method: This is a descriptive, comparative and relationship-based study. The sample was comprised of 484 persons who have a chronic illness. The instruments used were the Characterization Survey for Care of the Person with Chronic Disease and the patient version of the Survey of the Perception of Safety Conditions in the Hospital. Results: Compared to the risk perception categories, only half are aware of the risks to which they are exposed and how to prevent them, and only half reported knowing their rights and obligations during hospitalization. Falls and phlebitis are the risks that are more likely to materialize. Conclusion: There is little appropriation of risk prevention and care. Consequently, there is a high degree of vulnerability to the conditions of the hospital environment in Colombia’s five geographic macro-regions.