Patient safety culture: a survey of private sector tertiary care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Patient safety is a critical component to improving healthcare quality. Due to the potential of growing recognition and importance of establishing a patient safety culture within healthcare organizations, assessing existing patient safety culture is a prerequisite. Despite a vital role in delivering quality care, little attention has been given to describe healthcare professionals' perceptions and expectations of the patient safety culture in Pakistan. Objective:The current study aimed to assess the patient safety culture at a private tertiary hospital in Lahore from the perspectives of doctors and nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data from 120 nurses and doctors of the private hospital using the Hospital Survey of Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC).The respondent's demographic characteristics and study variables influencing patient safety culture were presented through descriptive statistics, and a chi-square test was applied to identify the variable influencing patient safety.Results: The current study outcomes revealed a positive score for different dimensions ranging from 32.1% to 86.5%. The dimension of organizational learning-continuous improvement (86.5%) and teamwork within units (81.7%) had the highest scores as compared to teamwork across units (74.7%), feedback and communication about the error (73.7%), management support for patient safety (71.6%), supervisor/ manager expectations and actions promoting patient safety (69.8%), communication openness (65.4%), overall perceptions of patient safety (62%), frequency of events reported (53.7%), handoffs and transitions (49.9%), staffing (33.3%) and non-punitive response to errors (32.1%).Conclusion:  The current study's findings highlighted a less positive attitude of doctors and nurses towards patient safety culture within their organizations. The outcomes of the present study could be used for designing and establishing interventions to improve patient safety practices in similar tertiary care settings across Pakistan.