A Cross-Sectional Survey Exploration of Theatre Staff Attitudes and Opinions on the Patient Safety Culture in an Operating Theatre in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Across the world, one of the biggest priorities in the healthcare sector is increasing patient safety. Nonetheless, there are still many reports about patients suffering complications or injuries as a result of services provided. To prevent these occurrences, several studies recommend improving patient care through adopting a patient safety culture among healthcare professionals. Care based on a culture of patient safety will assist healthcare professionals in improving attitudes and increase their knowledge towards patient safety. Aim: This study seeks to explore theatre teams’ perception and understanding of patient safety within the operating theatre in a Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Arar, Saudi Arabia (MCHSA) Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in an operating room department at a MCHSA. The sampling strategy employed to recruit participants was non-probability sampling, specifically purposive sampling, to explore their perceptions of patient safety culture. Fifty-six (56) operating room practitioners took part in the present study. The data was collected using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC). Questions were based on a close-ended questionnaire. Electronic statistical testing was used to descriptively analyse the data. Result: The findings of this study suggest that the perception of patient safety among theatre teams within the Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Arar, Saudi Arabia (MCHSA) was high, with a mean score of 3.55± 0.68. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between the perception of theatre teams within MCHSA toward patient safety and sub-dimensions (work area/unit; supervisor/manager; communications; frequency of events reported; facility) according to variables such as position and experience in current specialty. Conclusion: The current study’s findings indicate that non-physicians showed a more positive perception and attitude toward staff engagement with incident reporting than was the case with physicians, and the staff with less experience were the leading group when it comes to submitting incident reports when compared to staff with more experience. Also, hierarchy is a leading element that could impact of non-physicians’ perceptions and attitudes towards the support that department management makes available in the areas of communication skills and teamwork. Lastly, it appears that the self-reporting system in ORs was a leading barrier to team members’ reporting of the majority of surgical errors.