Safety culture assessment in national healthcare: a triangulation approach

Abstract

The aim of the study. To evaluate the safety culture in domestic health care using a mixed approach, that is, using a questionnaire survey, document analysis, as well as an analysis of the state of safety of patients and medical personnel. Materials and methods. The evaluation of safety culture in Ukrainian healthcare has been carried out based on the methodology of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), specifically employing a triangulation approach involving questionnaire surveys, document analysis, as well as an analysis of patient and medical personnel safety conditions. Our analysis and assessment of the regulatory framework for safety provision in the hospital environment from 1994 to 2020, as well as the safety status of patients from 2003 to 2020 and medical personnel from 2002 to 2018, formed the basis of the material used in this study. Additionally, the evaluation of safety culture was conducted through a questionnaire survey involving 199 healthcare professionals from various healthcare facilities. Research results. The study revealed that safety culture in domestic healthcare facilities is at an early stage of formation and requires systematic improvement. Developing a more comprehensive methodology for assessing safety culture in the medical field is an important and promising direction for future research. The results of our study confirmed the effectiveness of employing a triangulation approach to assess the level of safety culture excellence in healthcare facilities. Conclusions. Strengthening the identified weaknesses in safety culture within the domestic medical industry can become the goal and foundation of a future strategy to create a safe hospital environment based on improving and enhancing safety culture.