Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (785 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Freedom from exposure to danger and protection from the occurrence or risk of injury or loss. It suggests optimal precautions in the workplace, on the street, in the home, etc., and includes personal safety as well as the safety of property.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Safeties.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Accident Prevention
- Narrower topics
- Chemical Safety; Containment of Biohazards; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points; Patient Harm; Patient Safety; Safety Management
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 95,056 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Safety” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 15,013 of them (15.8%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 39,297 records.
Reviews account for 14,064 records (14.8%) and meta-analyses for 819. Randomized controlled trials number 3,851 (4.1%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 13,492 |
| 2000-2009 | 27,254 |
| 2010-2019 | 39,297 |
| 2020 onward | 15,013 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 14,064 | 14.8% |
| Meta-analyses | 819 | 0.9% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 3,851 | 4.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Safety"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in public health and nutrition
Population and nutrition studies mostly observe what people eat, breathe or are exposed to and then look for links with health, which shows association and not proof of cause. Self-reported diet is imprecise, people who eat or live differently also differ in other ways, and effects measured across a population may not apply to one person. Check the study design, how exposure was measured, what else was accounted for and the size of the effect, not only whether it was statistically significant.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patient Safety Culture and Nurses' Turnover Intention: The Serial Mediating Roles of Burnout and Job Satisfaction | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 4 | cc by PMID 41888032 · DOI · PMC13569096 |
| Effects of Toxic Leadership Behavior and Emotional Exhaustion on Patient Safety Incident Reporting | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 2 | cc by PMID 41995113 · DOI · PMC13088159 |
| Voices From the Frontline: A Qualitative Study of Nurses' Experiences With Documentation and Its Influence on Patient Safety | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 2 | cc by PMID 41830114 · DOI · PMC13140808 |
Patient Safety Culture and Nurses' Turnover Intention: The Serial Mediating Roles of Burnout and Job Satisfaction [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- AimTo investigate whether patient safety culture is associated with nurses' turnover intention and to examine correlational sequential pathways involving burnout and job satisfaction, drawing on Conservation of Resources theory.
- Closing excerpt
- Patient or public contributionNo patient or public contribution.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (276 words)
AimTo investigate whether patient safety culture is associated with nurses' turnover intention and to examine correlational sequential pathways involving burnout and job satisfaction, drawing on Conservation of Resources theory.DesignA descriptive, correlational design.MethodsThis study used data collected during 2023 from a hospital-wide patient safety culture survey conducted in four hospitals in South Korea. The sample comprised 3082 nurses from diverse units. Relationships among patient safety culture, burnout, job satisfaction, and turnover intention were examined using a mediation model within a structural equation modelling framework (WLSMV estimator with probit link), controlling for age and hospital tenure.ResultsPatient safety culture was associated with lower burnout and higher job satisfaction. Burnout was associated with lower job satisfaction and with a higher likelihood of turnover intention, whereas job satisfaction was associated with a lower likelihood of turnover intention. When burnout and job satisfaction were considered together, the association between patient safety culture and turnover intention was explained through these two factors rather than by a direct pathway.ConclusionPatient safety culture functions as an organizational resource that relates to reduced burnout and enhanced job satisfaction, which together relate to lower intention to leave.Implications for the professionStrengthening patient safety culture-alongside efforts to reduce strain and foster positive job attitudes-may support nurse well-being and improve retention, thereby supporting continuity and safety of patient care.ImpactThis study addresses persistent nurse turnover intention in hospitals and identifies patient safety culture as an organizational lever that operates through reduced burnout and improved job satisfaction. The findings can guide nurse leaders and policymakers in hospitals to implement culture-focused strategies that support staff well-being, enhance retention, and sustain safe patient care.Reporting methodSTROBE guidelines were followed.Patient or public contributionNo patient or public contribution.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41888032 · DOI · PMC13569096
Effects of Toxic Leadership Behavior and Emotional Exhaustion on Patient Safety Incident Reporting [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- IntroductionPatient safety is a vital component of healthcare delivery, and identifying and reporting incidents are essential to raising the standard of care.
- Closing excerpt
- Improving reporting and minimizing the harmful effects of emotional exhaustion require addressing the role of toxic leadership.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (282 words)
IntroductionPatient safety is a vital component of healthcare delivery, and identifying and reporting incidents are essential to raising the standard of care. Nurse managers are noted in some organizations to display a toxic leadership style, which exacerbates nurses' already existing emotional exhaustion. Nurses' emotional exhaustion may harm the reporting of patient safety incidents. Using the job demands-resources theory as the primary guiding framework, the study assessed the relationship between emotional exhaustion and patient safety incident reporting among nurses while examining the mediating role of toxic leadership of nurse managers in a teaching hospital in Ghana.MethodsThe study employed a cross-sectional design. Using convenience sampling, 282 nurses from the various units of a teaching hospital completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Toxic Leadership Behavior of Nurse Managers Scale, and the Survey on Patient Safety Culture tools. Pearson moment-product correlation and Hayes' PROCESS Macro mediation analyses were conducted to examine the effects of toxic leadership behavior of nurse managers on the relationship between nurses' emotional exhaustion and patient safety incident reporting. Analysis was performed at a significance of 0.05.ResultsClose to half (43.6%, n = 123) of participants indicated their likelihood of reporting patient safety incidents in their units. There was a significant negative correlation between patient safety incident reporting and emotional exhaustion (r = -0.617, p Implications for nursing managementThe toxic leadership behavior of nurse managers acts as a mediator, exacerbating the negative relationship between emotional exhaustion and patient safety incident reporting. The results highlight the need to address emotional exhaustion and toxic leadership behavior of nurse managers to foster a culture of transparent patient safety incident reporting. Improving reporting and minimizing the harmful effects of emotional exhaustion require addressing the role of toxic leadership.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41995113 · DOI · PMC13088159
Voices From the Frontline: A Qualitative Study of Nurses' Experiences With Documentation and Its Influence on Patient Safety [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- AimThis study aimed to explore nurses' perceptions, experiences, and challenges related to clinical documentation and its influence on patient safety in Saudi Arabia.
- Closing excerpt
- Addressing these gaps may enhance documentation accuracy, reduce burden, and promote safer patient outcomes.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (227 words)
AimThis study aimed to explore nurses' perceptions, experiences, and challenges related to clinical documentation and its influence on patient safety in Saudi Arabia.BackgroundNursing documentation, a critical aspect of clinical practice, directly influences patient safety, care continuity, and legal accountability. Despite the increasing adoption of electronic health records, nurses continue to encounter numerous challenges in maintaining accurate and timely documentation, particularly in high-pressure healthcare environments.MethodsA qualitative descriptive design was employed. Nine nurses with at least two years of clinical experience from various teaching hospitals in Saudi Arabia were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face semistructured interviews conducted between June and September 2023. Thematic analysis was conducted following an inductive coding approach supported by MAXQDA software to identify recurring themes and subthemes.ResultsThree major themes emerged: (1) the perceived value of documentation as a legal and clinical tool; (2) barriers to effective documentation, including time constraints, lack of training, inconsistent practices, and weak handovers; and (3) nurses' efforts to improve documentation quality despite feeling unheard in institutional decision-making. The participants highlighted a shift in perception, viewing documentation not only as a protective measure but also as a key component of patient safety and care quality.ConclusionThe findings underscore the need for improved documentation training, standardized practices, and greater involvement of nurses in policy development. Addressing these gaps may enhance documentation accuracy, reduce burden, and promote safer patient outcomes.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41830114 · DOI · PMC13140808
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Association Between Physician Burnout and Patient Safety, Professionalism, and Patient Satisfaction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [4]
- Research article Prevalence, severity, and nature of preventable patient harm across medical care settings: systematic review and meta-analysis [5]
- Research article Workplace safety: a meta-analysis of the roles of person and situation factors [6]
- Research article Nurse Burnout and Patient Safety, Satisfaction, and Quality of Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [7]
- Research article Effectiveness and safety of tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis [8]
- Research article What is patient safety culture? A review of the literature [9]
Full-text reviews on EvidenceLib
Open-access review articles about this topic, reproduced in full with authors, licence and references.
Efficacy and safety of vitamin C supplementation in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis
Yogesh Sharma, Subodha Sumanadasa, Rashmi Shahi et al. · Scientific Reports 2024 · CC BY 4.0
Human Salmonellosis: A Continuous Global Threat in the Farm-to-Fork Food Safety Continuum
Addisu D Teklemariam, Rashad R Al-Hindi, Raed S Albiheyri et al. · Foods 2023 · CC BY 4.0
Mini-Tablets: A Valid Strategy to Combine Efficacy and Safety in Pediatrics
Guendalina Zuccari, Silvana Alfei, Danilo Marimpietri et al. · Pharmaceuticals 2022 · CC BY 4.0
Efficacy and Safety of Ceftazidime-Avibactam for the Treatment of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales Bloodstream Infection: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Yan Chen, Hui-Bin Huang, Jin-Min Peng et al. · Microbiology Spectrum 2022 · CC BY 4.0
Effectiveness and Safety of JAK Inhibitors in Autoinflammatory Diseases: A Systematic Review
Zhivana Boyadzhieva, Nikolas Ruffer, Gerd Burmester et al. · Frontiers in Medicine 2022 · CC BY 4.0
References
- Lee SE, Park SY, Veliz P, Jardine J. Patient Safety Culture and Nurses' Turnover Intention: The Serial Mediating Roles of Burnout and Job Satisfaction. . 2026. PMID 41888032 · DOI · PMC13569096
- Poku CA, Ahiadzese YA, Oyortey HK, Lamptey SNO, Asante J, Lumor DA, et al.. Effects of Toxic Leadership Behavior and Emotional Exhaustion on Patient Safety Incident Reporting. . 2026. PMID 41995113 · DOI · PMC13088159
- Alghamdi RS, Albloushi M, Alshareef M, Alshamry H, Alabdulaal A, Alshakarah N, et al.. Voices From the Frontline: A Qualitative Study of Nurses' Experiences With Documentation and Its Influence on Patient Safety. . 2026. PMID 41830114 · DOI · PMC13140808
- Panagioti M, Geraghty K, Johnson J, Zhou A, Panagopoulou E, Chew-Graham C, et al.. Association Between Physician Burnout and Patient Safety, Professionalism, and Patient Satisfaction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2018. PMID 30193239 · DOI · PMC6233757
- Panagioti M, Khan K, Keers RN, Abuzour A, Phipps D, Kontopantelis E, et al.. Prevalence, severity, and nature of preventable patient harm across medical care settings: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2019. PMID 31315828 · DOI · PMC6939648
- Christian MS, Bradley JC, Wallace JC, Burke MJ. Workplace safety: a meta-analysis of the roles of person and situation factors. J Appl Psychol. 2009. PMID 19702360 · DOI
- Li LZ, Yang P, Singer SJ, Pfeffer J, Mathur MB, Shanafelt T. Nurse Burnout and Patient Safety, Satisfaction, and Quality of Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2024. PMID 39499515 · DOI · PMC11539016
- Yang ZG, Chen WP, Wu LD. Effectiveness and safety of tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2012. PMID 22623147 · DOI
- Sammer CE, Lykens K, Singh KP, Mains DA, Lackan NA. What is patient safety culture? A review of the literature. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2010. PMID 20618600 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
See how EvidenceLib is built. Spotted an error? Email support@evidencehelix.com.
Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.