Patient safety culture in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in a hospital

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: to assess patient safety culture during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify the dimensions that need to be improved in hospital settings and which sector, open or closed, direct or indirect care, exhibits a higher level of safety culture. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The validated version for Brazil of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture instrument was applied to assess patient safety culture. Those dimensions with 75% positive responses were considered strengthened. Results: all dimensions presented results lower than 75% of positive responses. Closed sectors showed a stronger safety culture compared to open ones. Indirect care sectors had a low general perception of patient safety when compared to direct care sectors. Conclusions: with the pandemic, points of weakness became even more evident, requiring attention and incisive interventions from the institution’s leaders.