Factors influencing witnesses' perception of patient safety during pre-hospital health care from emergency medical services: A multi-center cross-sectional study

Aim: To determine the factors related with the perception of feeling safe during pre-hospital emergency care.Methods: A multi-centred, cross-sectional study. Data collection from April 2021 to March 2022, in the Centro de Emergencias Sanitarias 061 (Andalusia, Spain).Inclusion criteria: witnesses of health care by emergency medical services.Exclusion criteria: minors, or communication barriers.Outcome variable: Witness Perceived Safety Scale ESPT10. The variables studied were related with sociodemographic data, the request for health care, the patient, the hospital transfer and patient safety incidents. A multivariate linear regression model was constructed for the dependent variable. The study followed STROBE statement.Results: Responses were obtained from 1400 witnesses. The linear regression model showed that the score on the scale increased as the witnesses felt more satisfied (B = 1.302; p < 0.001). On the contrary, the score was lower when the witness reported a patient safety incident (B = -2.856; p < 0.001 and B = -3.166; p < 0.001), or when the assistance took place in a public space (B = -0.722; p = 0.017).Conclusions: The level of satisfaction, the occurrence of a patient safety incident, and the place of health care are related factors with the perception of the witnesses. The Witness Perceived Safety Scale ESPT10 could be considered a valid and useful patient safety indicator.