REVIEW Patient participation in patient safety and nursing input – a systematic review Mojtaba Vaismoradi, Sue Jordan and Mari Kangasniemi Aims and objectives. This systematic review aims to synthesise the existing research on how patients participate in patient safety initiatives. Background. Ambiguities remain about how patients participate in routine mea- sures designed to promote patient safety. Design. Systematic review using integrative methods. Methods. Electronic databases were searched using keywords describing patient involvement, nursing input and patient safety initiatives to retrieve empirical research published between 2007 and 2013. Findings were synthesized using the theoretical domains of Vincent’s framework for analysing risk and safety in clinical practice: “patient”, “healthcare provider”, “task”, “work environment”, “organi- sation & management”. Results. We identified 17 empirical research papers: four qualitative, one mixed- method and 12 quantitative designs. All 17 papers indicated that patients can par- ticipate in safety initiatives. Conclusions. Improving patient participation in patient safety necessitates consid- ering the patient as a person, the nurse as healthcare provider, the task of partici- pation and the clinical environment. Patients’ knowledge, health conditions, beliefs and experiences influence their decisions to engage in patient safety initia- tives. An important component of the management of long-term conditions is to ensure that patients have sufficient knowledge to participate. Healthcare providers may need further professional development in patient education and patient care management to promote patient involvement in patient safety, and ensure that patients understand that they are ‘allowed’ to inform nurses of adverse events or errors. A healthcare system characterised by patient-centredness and mutual acknowledgement will support patient participation in safety practices. Further research is required to improve international knowledge of patient participation in patient safety in different disciplines, contexts and cultures. Relevance to clinical practice. Patients have a significant role to play in enhancing their own safety while receiving hospital care. This review offers a framework for clinicians to develop comprehensive practical guidelines to support patient involvement in patient safety. What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community? • Patients are able and willing to participate in patient safety ini- tiatives. • Efforts to involve patients in sys- tems to ensure their own safety should accommodate patients’ abilities and health beliefs, their personal illness coping strategies and their past experiences in the healthcare system. • Nurses’ positive attitudes, encouragement and support, and pre- and post-registration nurse education are central to patient participation in safety measures. Appropriate infrastructures and working environments also are required. Authors: Mojtaba Vaismoradi, PhD, MScN, BScN, Researcher, Fac- ulty of Professional Studies, University of Nordland, Bodø, Norway; Sue Jordan, Reader, College of Human and Health Sciences, Swan- sea University, Swansea, UK; Mari Kangasniemi, PhD, RN, Docent, University lecturer, Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland Correspondence: Mari Kangasniemi, Docent, University lecturer, Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Univer- sity of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio 70211, Finland. Telephone: + 358 40 355 3624. E-mail: mari.kangasniemi@uef.fi © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Journal of Clinical Nursing, doi: 10.1111/jocn.12664 1