Safe prescribing dictates that prescriptions should only be written for the patients who are intended to use the prescribed medications. Using claims data, this analysis identified a high rate of opioid prescriptions written for and filled by the spouses of patients undergoing outpatient surgery (who may be unable to fill prescriptions themselves after surgery). Findings suggest intentional, clinically inappropriate prescribing of opioids.

Burnout and low staff morale have been associated with poor patient safety outcomes. This study focused on the association between organizational climate, burnout and morale, and the use of seclusion and restraints in inpatient psychiatric hospitals. The authors recommend that initiatives aimed at reducing restraints and seclusion in inpatient psychiatric facilities also include a component aimed at improving organizational climate and staff morale.

Trainees' comfort with speaking up about safety concerns is a key element of safety culture. Investigators surveyed medical students about their perceptions of safety and quality in medical care. Consistent with prior studies, this cross-sectional study found that a significant proportion of students do not feel comfortable approaching superiors about quality or safety concerns.

… a safety climate for patients and health care workers. … Mohr DC, Eaton JL, McPhaul KM, Hodgson MJ. Does Employee …

Veterans with psychotic disorders appeared to experience certain patient safety problems (as measured by the AHRQ Patient Safety Indicators) at a higher rate than the general population.