Table 2 Results of the web-based survey in the Linneaus project (n = 65)

The practice uses only sterile equipment with small surgical procedures. (A )

41/65

63.1%

The practice has adequate emergency drugs in stock. (C)

39/65

60.0%

Facilities are regularly cleaned (e.g. spirometry). (A)

38/65

58.5%

Sterile surgical gloves are used when recommended in prevailing guidelines. (A)

37/65

56.9%

There is at least one adequately trained staff member available to deal with collapse and need for resuscitation. (C)

36/64

56.3%

When a patient is discharged from the hospital adequate information is handed over to the GP. (F)

35/63

55.6%

GPs are periodically trained in basic life support and other medical emergencies. (C)

34/64

53.1%

Major diseases and health problems are labeled in the patient record (for example in a problem list). (E)

28/65

43.1%

A hygiene protocol is known to all clinicians at the practice. (A)

28/65

43.1%

The patient record system has a facility for information back-up. (B)

27/63

42.9%

An AED is present in the practice. (C)

27/65

41.5%

There is a system for showing alerts to inform GPs of seriously abnormal test results. (G)

27/65

41.5%

The practice analyses the reported incidents, and takes adequate actions. (D)

25/63

39.7%

Every clinical telephonic advice given is noted in the patient record. (E)

25/65

38.5%

There is an actual list of medication used present in the practice for every patient. (I)

23/63

36.5%

The practice has a control programme for oral anticoagulants when prescribed and dosed by the practice. (I)

23/63

36.5%

The practice has all documentation included in an electronic patient record system. (B)

23/63

36.5%

All prescriptions are done in an electronic prescribing system in the practice. (B)

22/63

34.9%

The practice analyses patient complaints. and takes adequate actions. (D)

22/63

34.9%

There is an explicit procedure for supplying and checking the content of the doctor’s bag. (C)

20/64

31.3%

The practice has an emergency telephone line. (J)

19/65

29.2%

Is it easy to get in contact with out-of-hours service. (J)

19/65

29.2%

Reminders and alerts regarding safety issues are integrated in the patient record system in the practice. (G)

18/65

27.7%

Patients can report incidents or complaints at the practice. (D)

17/63

27.0%

Computerized decision support regarding medication safety is present in the practice. (G)

17/65

26.2%

The practice has a control program for diabetes patients with regular HbA1c levels. (I)

14/63

22.2%

There is a adequate triage on the telephone to assess the urgency of the complaints. (J)

14/65

21.5%

The practice uses a national or international classification of diseases in the patient records. (E)

14/65

21.5%

The practice uses a procedure for reviewing repeat prescribing. (I)

13/63

20.6%

The practice has an incident register and healthcare workers reports incidents. (D)

13/63

20.6%

Out-of-hour care providers have access to the patient record. (E)

13/65

20.0%

The practice performs a periodic review of medication with pharmacists in patients who use risk full (combinations of) medication. (I)

12/63

19.0%

Clinical guidelines on the most prevailing diseases are present in the practice. (G)

12/65

18.5%

Patient complaints are registered in the practice. (D)

11/63

17.5%

The practice has a system for annual control of potassium and kidney function in patients using diuretics. (I)

11/63

17.5%

Measurement and feedback on safety culture in practice is done. (H)

11/64

17.2%

There is a system for recalling patients who need blood test monitoring. (G)

11/65

16.9%

If more than one health professional is involved in the treatment, one is clearly the central care provider. (F)

10/63

15.9%

Written protocols are present for the most high risk processes in care delivery. (H)

10/64

15.6%

There is a possibility to do diagnostic tests immediately if necessary (e.g. for C-Reactive Protein and D-dimer). (C)

10/64

15.6%

Known prevalence of major chronic diseases. like diabetes and depression. are documented in the practice and in line with national figures. (G)

9/65

13.8%

In the practice data are collected and analyzed regarding patient safety: for example: deceased patients, unplanned hospital admissions, delayed or missed diagnosis. (H)

8/64

12.5%

There is a system for recording outgoing requests and incoming results for diagnostic tests. (G)

8/65

12.3%

Patients in the practice are actively invited to raise concerns regarding patient safety as members of advisory groups. (D)

7/63

11.1%

The practice has a system to avoid that NSAID is prescribed without gastric protection when recommended. (I)

6/63

9.5%

The practice has an electronic prescribing system that is directly linked to a pharmacy. (I)

6/63

9.5%

The practice has working agreements with pharmacists. (I)

6/63

9.5%

The GP improves his knowledge on rare diseases when such a disease is diagnosed in one of the patients. (H)

6/64

9.4%

Patients with 3 or more different professional care providers are periodically discussed in a team meeting. (F)

5/63

7.9%

Every contact on the phone (for example with the practice nurse) is authorized by a GP on the same day. (J)

4/65

6.2%

A translator service is available in the practice. (J)

2/65

3.1%

The practice undergoes periodic audits by an external inspection authority. (H)

1/64

1.6%