Importance and performance analysis for strengthening patient safety management activities of psychiatric nurses

This study aimed to identify differences in the importance and performance of patient safety management activities among nurses in psychiatric institutions and to identify priorities for strengthening patient safety management activities. The study population was nurses working in psychiatric wards of psychiatric specialty hospitals and upper-level general hospitals located in Gyeonggi and Jeolla provinces, who had at least one year of experience working in a psychiatric hospital or ward, understood the purpose of the study, had no communication disability, and gave written consent to participate in the study. Data collection was conducted between March 15 and March 31, 2025, using a structured self-report questionnaire, and data from 180 nurses were analyzed. Analyses were conducted using SPSS/WIN 26.0 to analyze frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, paired sample t-tests, IPA analysis, Borich's Educational Needs Chart analysis, and The Locus for Focus Model. The results of the study showed that the top priorities for patient safety management activities of nurses in psychiatric organizations were ‘complying with infection control practices’, ‘complying with oxygen guidelines for fire prevention’, and ‘providing crisis management information’. Based on the results of this study, it would be more efficient to develop and apply a customized patient safety management training program for nurses in psychiatric institutions based on the prioritized items.