Combination Relationship between Features of Person-Centered Care and Patient Safety Activities of Nurses Working in Small–Medium-Sized Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Perceived safety culture and nursing work environment are considered important prerequisites for a patient safety activity. Patient safety is also associated with person-centered care; however, few studies apply the person-centered care framework which includes staff attributes and care environment. This study aimed to examine the canonical correlations of person-centered care factors, including professional self-concept, patient safety culture, nursing work environment, and patient safety activities of nurses working in small–medium-sized hospitals. A cross-sectional survey was used. Participants included 171 nurses from seven small–medium-sized hospitals in Busan metropolitan city, in Korea. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and canonical correlations. Two significant canonical variates were found. First, better professional self-concept, a positive patient safety culture, and better nursing work environment were associated with better patient safety care activities. Second, a negative patient safety culture and healthy nursing work environment were associated with a lack of communication between medical staff. Person-centered framework factors such as staff attributes and care environment were positively associated with patient safety activities. Based on the results, nurses in small–medium-sized hospitals should be highly aware of their professional self-concept. Moreover, nurses should be equipped with psychological safety and a healthy work environment to enhance patient safety activities.