Organizational Culture and Role of Nursing in Patient Safety

Abstract

Purpose of the Research: Patient safety is the goal of all the activities undertaken in a Health care set up. In current times of use of technology and awareness of the patients, it is important to determine the culture of safety in an organization. Nurses, being the direct and immediate point of contact for patients need to be aware and have knowledge about their role in patient safety.

Methodology: Prospective cross-sectional observational design study, with a structured 5-point Likert scaled questionnaire, simple random non-purposive sampling. The knowledge, current practices, attitude of critical care nursing staff, organization culture toward patient safety, and reporting of events were studied.

Results: Most of the participants expressed their positive view about patient safety procedures in the hospital. Nurses had knowledge about errors and safety in 74% of cases, but reported informally in 60% of cases. More than 75% nursing staff was dependent on the peer group and seniors for discussions about patient safety issues in the organization. The culture of audits (in 45% cases) and competency based training was done in 37% cases. Nursing was committed to safety in 55% of cases and positive attitude about being open and honest in accepting their mistakes in 61% of cases. Overall grade in patient safety was above 60%.

Conclusions: Overall, the culture of patient safety, perception about safety, and role of nursing officers is well understood by them. However, reporting system, formalization of patient safety aspects, that is, development of nursing “practice environment” should be undertaken to improve the patient safety with involvement of patients at this Super Specialty Hospital.