Perceptions Of Patient Safety Culture And Associated Factors Among Clinical Managers

Abstract

Background:  Patient safety (PS) is a high priority for the healthcare system worldwide. It is considered an indicator of the quality of care. Patient safety is a global challenge influenced by perceived patient safety culture. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the patient safety culture perceived by hospital clinical managers and its associated factors. This study aims: To investigate the perceptions of patient safety culture and associated factors among clinical managers of hospitals in Makkah, KSA. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to March 2022, involving 539 clinical managers from four hospitals in Makkah, KSA. The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) was utilized to assess perceived patient safety culture. Bivariate, multivariable linear regression and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: The mean score for the total HSOPSC was 72.5 ± 7.6, with dimensional scores ranging from 62.1 (14.9) to 86.6 (11.7). Three dimensions exhibited positive response rates (PRRs) < 50%, indicating areas that need to be impr[1]oved: “non-punitive response to errors” (40.5%), “staffing” (41.9%), and “frequency of events reported” (47.4%). Specialized hospitals (β = 1.744, P = 0.037), female gender (β = 2.496, P = 0.003), higher professional title (β = 1.413, P = 0.049), a higher education level (β = 1.316, P = 0.001), and shorter time delays per shift (β=-1.13, P < 0.001) were correlated with higher perceived patient safety culture. Education level, work department, “teamwork within a unit”, “management support for patient safety”, “communication openness”, and “staffing” dimensions were associated with patient safety grades (all P < 0.05). Years worked in hospitals, occupation, education level, work department, hospital nature, professional title, “communication openness”, and “handoffs & transitions” were associated with the number of adverse events reported (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: The present study revealed a generally low level of patient safety culture perceived by clinical managers and identified priority areas requiring urgent improvement. The associated factors of patient safety culture provide important guidance for the development of targeted interventions in the future. Promoting patient safety by optimizing the patient safety culture perceived by clinical managers should be prioritized.