‘I need complete trust in nurses’ – home mechanical ventilated patients’ perceptions of safety

Background Although home care has advanced over the last few decades, little research on patient safety has been carried out in this setting. Furthermore, it is unclear how patients perceive their situation and safety. The insiders’ views might be especially relevant for technology‐dependent individuals, such as users of home mechanical ventilation (HMV). Aim The aim of this study was to examine how HMV patients perceive their situation and what makes them feel safe or unsafe. Design Explorative qualitative study. Methods Data were collected in two regions in Germany between April and December 2014 by means of semi‐structured interviews with 21 HMV patients. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Findings Three themes emerged: the meaning of an interpersonal relationship between the nurse and HMV patient is expressed in the theme Being familiar – Having trust. The importance of the attentiveness of nurses for the patients’ feeling of safety is described in the theme Being able to communicate – Being noticed. The theme Experiencing continuity – Feeling presence points to the organisational dimension of HMV care provision. Conclusions The interpersonal nurse–patient relationship plays a key role in promoting HMV patients’ feeling of safety. Thus, HMV patients have a relational approach to safety. In order to enhance the patients’ feeling of safety, nurses should strive to develop a trusting relationship with patients and demonstrate their presence and attentiveness. Regarding the provision of care, competent and continuous care should be made a priority.