Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2025, 16(2):2158-2165 | DOI: 10.15452/cejnm.2025.16.0011

Safety culture in Slovakian long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional study

Peter Matejovie, Radka Kurucová, Martina Tomagová
Department of Nursing, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia

Aim: The objective of this study was to examine healthcare professionals’ perceptions of patient safety culture in long-term care facilities in Slovakia.

Design: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods: The research sample included 161 healthcare professionals from 12 long-term care facilities in Slovakia. Empirical data were collected from December 2023 to February 2024 using the Nursing Home Survey on Patient Safety Culture (NHSPSC).

Results: Respondents rated the safety culture highest in the dimensions of Feedback and Communication About Incidents (72%) and Overall Perceptions of Resident Safety (69%) according to the NHSPSC. In contrast, the lowest ratings were for Staffing (36%), Nonpunitive Response to Mistakes (38%), and Compliance with Procedures (40%). Analysis revealed statistically significant associations between degree of patient safety, all dimensions of safety culture, and overall job satisfaction (p < 0.05). Patient safety ratings were influenced by the number of patients per shift and healthcare professionals’ intentions to leave their jobs.

Conclusion: Patient safety culture significantly influences the level of safety experienced by patients residing in long-term care facilities in Slovakia. Assessment of this culture helps identify areas for improvement and raises awareness of safety among healthcare professionals.

Keywords: healthcare professionals, long-term care facilities, Nursing Home Survey on Patient Safety Culture, patient, safety culture

Received: December 17, 2024; Revised: March 31, 2025; Accepted: May 7, 2025; Prepublished online: May 14, 2025; Published: June 5, 2025  Show citation

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Matejovie P, Kurucová R, Tomagová M. Safety culture in Slovakian long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional study. Central European Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. 2025;16(2):2158-2165. doi: 10.15452/cejnm.2025.16.0011.
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