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.

Department of Nursing Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin Comenius University in Bratislava Slovakia

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