Safety Culture and Continuing Care

The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems worldwide, including the National Health Service and the National Network for Integrated Continuing Care. In this context, the management of safety culture in healthcare gained increased importance, although it remains relatively underexplored in Portugal. This study analyzes the role of safety culture management within an Integrated Continuing Care Unit, identifying good practices, factors related to organizational learning, and the occurrence of adverse events. Using a single-case, exploratory and descriptive approach, the research draws on document analysis of institutional standards and reports, interviews across multiple management levels, and questionnaires administered to healthcare professionals. The findings indicate strong consistency between documentation, staff perceptions, and management perspectives, revealing a proactive and sustainable level of safety culture maturity. Nevertheless, key areas for improvement were identified, particularly in communication and occupational health and safety training affected by the pandemic’s impact on organizational structures and priorities.