Health Practitioners perspective on patient safety culture in teaching hospital environment located in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to identify health practitioners’ perspectives of patient safety culture practices in a large teaching hospital located in the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia; in addition, it tries to ascertain whether these perceptions have an impact on patient safety practices. Background: In the light of enormous attention given to patient safety, the findings of this research show the health practitioners’ perspectives of patient safety culture in a large teaching hospital, and compare them with the regional and international studies. Research methodology: This cross-sectional study adopted the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) survey, which was targeted at health practitioners in a large teaching hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Key findings: Out of 190 participants only 74 who completed the survey, the response rate was (83.14%). The highest percentage of the total sample (29.7%) was nurses. All five sections were significant (p <0.05), which indicates that the more positive the practices, the higher the patient safety rating. Findings were able to recognise strengths (communication and hospital management) and areas for potential improvement (reporting patient safety events and managers support). The participants’ responses to overall patient safety was good (41.9% = good). Conclusion: Patient safety culture is a global issue that has an impact on developed and developing countries. Improving patient safety culture in health organisations should be a continuous process that includes policymakers and healthcare providers. This study assesses health practitioners’ perspectives on patient safety culture practices. The findings in this study demonstrate that perception of health practitioners regarding patient safety culture was good. There are some areas that need for potential improvement.