Abstract
Background and aims: Although patient safety has been a major topic in healthcare for more than a decade, the challenge remains to find effective and sustainable safety improvement programmes. A culture of safety is a key factor in the success of such programmes. We investigated the differences in patient safety culture on wards before the start of a safety program with wards where a safety program was implemented for several years.
Methods: A survey was undertaken amongst paediatricians and specialized nurses by means of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) on wards without a safety program (group A) and on wards with a safety program (group B). The study took place at the Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam.
Results: In group A 252 surveys were provided with a response rate of 67% (64% nurses). In group B 153 surveys were provided with a response rate of 53% (80% nurses).
The HSOPSC consists of 40 questions, covering 11 dimensions. Results are presented in positive, neutral or negative ratings.
We found the following significant differences between groups (A vs. B) in positive ratings:
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1. ‘Feedback about and learning from error’: 51% vs. 83%
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2. ‘Overall perceptions of safety’: 48% vs. 59%
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3. ‘Frequency of event reporting’: 38% vs. 59%
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4. ‘Hospital management support’: 24% vs. 46%
Ratings in the other dimensions were unchanged.
Conclusion: Implementation of a patient safety programme improves some aspects in the culture on a ward, while other aspects demand more focused intervening.
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Maaskant, J., De Neef, M. & Wielenga, J. 469 Patient Safety: A Cultural Must!. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 240 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00469
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00469