Background and aim: Western countries share an interest in evaluating and improving quality of care in the healthcare field. The aim was to develop and examine the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Spanish version of the Quality in Psychiatric Care–Inpatient (QPC-IP) instrument.Methods: A psychometric study was conducted, translating the QPC-IPS instrument into Spanish, revision of the instrument by a panel of experts, and assessing its psychometric properties. 150 psychiatric inpatients completed the QPC-IP. Test-retest reliability was assessed by re-administering the questionnaire to 75 of these patients.Results: After conducting pilot testing and a cognitive interview with 30 inpatients, it was determined that the QPC-IPS was adequate and could be self-administered. A Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94 was obtained for the full instrument and values of 0.52–0.89 for the various dimensions of the questionnaire. Test re test reliability: The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient for the full questionnaire was 0.69, while for the individual dimensions values between 0.62 and 0.74 were obtained, indicating acceptable temporal stability. Convergent validity was analysed using 10-point numerical satisfaction scale, giving a positive correlation (0.49). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed six factors consistent with the original scale. The Spanish version yielded adequate results in terms of validity and reliability.Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence of the convergent validity, reliability, temporal stability and construct validity of the Spanish QPC-IP for measuring patient quality in psychiatric care in Spanish hospitals. Hospital administrators can use this tool to assess and identify areas for improvement to enhance quality in psychiatric care.

Aims. (i) To evaluate the scope and quality of nurse‐patient interactions recorded in the clinical notes of inpatient mental health units and (ii) to identify nursing interventions recorded in the context of the nurse‐patient relationship in the clinical notes of inpatient mental health units. Design. A multimethod approach was use. Methods. Employing a quantitative cross‐sectional design for the first aim, and a qualitative content analysis design of secondary data for the second aim. In total, 1,714 clinical notes were examined from 44 randomly selected patients who were hospitalized in five mental health units over the years 2022‐2023. Results. The patient’s experience of the interaction was present in 69.9% (n = 1,198) of the notes. However, only 12.0% (n = 205) of the notes reached a sufficient standard of quality in terms of describing the nurse‐patient interactions. Specifically, more than half of the notes did not reflect any type of nursing intervention (n = 723; 60.4%). Thirty interventions compatible with the nursing intervention classification were identified, of which more than 70% corresponded to domains in the physiological area. Conclusion. This study shows that the quantity and scope of patients’ clinical notes in mental health units do not sufficiently reflect the interventions performed by nurses, nor the quality or impact of these interventions in the context of the nurse‐patient therapeutic relationship. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care. Improving the quality of clinical notes by integrating interventions and their impact can increase the quality of nursing care. Impact. The use of standardized nursing terminologies would contribute to the understanding of the extent and quality of nurse‐patient interactions recorded in clinical notes. Thus, standardized documentation would also help to improve these interactions and their recording, which will facilitate decision‐making. Reporting Method. Findings were reported using COREQ and STROBE guidelines. Patient or Public Contributions. There were no patient or public contributions.

Fundamento. Los países occidentales comparten un interés en evaluar la calidad de la atención en el campo de la salud. A pesar de esto, existe una falta de comparación intercultural de las percepciones de los profesionales. Una razón para esto puede ser la falta de instrumentos estandarizados. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar las propiedades psicométricas y las dimensiones de la versión española del instrumento Quality in Psychiatric Care-Inpatients Staff (QPC-IPS). Métodos. Tras la traducción y revisión del instrumento por un panel de expertos se obtuvo un cuestionario en español que fue administrado a una muestra piloto. La muestra estuvo configurada por 163 profesionales. Resultados. Después de realizar una prueba piloto y una entrevista cognitiva con 30 profesionales, se determinó que el QPC-IPS era adecuado y podía autoadministrarse. El análisis factorial confirmatorio confirmó seis factores que explican el 60,9% de la varianza. Mediante el análisis de consistencia interna, se obtuvo un alfa de Cronbach de 0,92 para el total del instrumento. Para la fiabilidad del test-retest, el coeficiente de correlación intraclase para el cuestionario general fue de 0,91. La validez convergente se analizó utilizando el instrumento de satisfacción NTP394, produciendo una correlación positiva (0,58). Conclusiones. Los resultados demostraron que las propiedades psicométricas en términos de consistencia interna, estabilidad temporal (test-retest), validez de contenido y validez de constructo (análisis factorial confirmatorio) fueron adecuadas.

Introduction: A strong nurse–patient therapeutic relationship is crucial in acute mental health care yet remains challenging, potentially affecting outcomes and perceived quality of care. Interventions that foster structured, person‐centred encounters may address these challenges effectively. Aim: To evaluate the effects of the ‘Reserved Therapeutic Space’ intervention in terms of its impact on the improvement of the nurse–patient therapeutic relationship, the quality of care, perceived coercion and humiliation and length of stay. Methods: A multicentre quasi‐experimental trial design in twelve acute mental health units compared the Reserved Therapeutic Space to standard care. Participants completed validated instruments assessing the therapeutic relationship, perceived quality of care and coercion. Mixed‐effects models and survival analyses evaluated intervention effects. Results: Participants receiving the Reserved Therapeutic Space reported stronger nurse–patient relationships, higher quality of care ratings and lower coercion scores compared to those receiving standard care. Survival analysis indicated significantly shorter hospitalizations in the intervention group. Implications: Findings suggest that dedicating structured time for nurse–patient engagement enhances therapeutic relationships, reduces negative experiences and potentially improves both satisfaction and resource use. Providing structured therapeutic encounters can advance person‐centred, collaborative mental health nursing practices in acute settings. Future research should explore long‐term outcomes of this intervention.

Aim: To examine the association between perceived quality of care and the level of coercion experienced by individuals hospitalised in acute mental health units. Design: National cross‐sectional study. Methods: Data were collected from 255 patients admitted to 12 acute mental health units across Spain. Standardised instruments assessed perceived quality of care and levels of coercion, humiliation and fear at discharge. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore associations between care quality dimensions and patients' experiences. Results: Perceived quality of care was significantly associated with lower levels of perceived coercion and humiliation. All dimensions of care quality showed inverse associations, with the “secluded” dimension showing the strongest association. The association between care quality and perceived fear was less consistent. These findings are particularly relevant for mental health nurses, who play a central role in delivering relational care and ensuring patients' emotional safety. Conclusion: Higher perceived quality of care is associated with lower levels of coercion, humiliation, and fear during hospitalisation in acute mental health settings. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: For mental health nursing, these results underscore the critical role of nurses in creating therapeutic environments that reduce coercive experiences. By fostering trust, promoting patient autonomy, and ensuring emotional and physical safety, nurses can significantly influence the quality of care and patient outcomes. Impact: The study addresses the lack of evidence on how perceived quality of care influences experiences of coercion in acute mental health settings. Better perceived care quality is linked to reduced feelings of coercion, humiliation and fear. The research has direct implications for mental health nurses, clinical educators and healthcare managers aiming to improve patient experiences and reduce coercive practices in psychiatric care. Reporting Method: STROBE reporting guideline. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.