GP.4. Measurement of patient safety culture in Belgian hospitals

Measurement of patient safety culture in Belgian hospitals (Belgium)

Part of the PhD-research of Johan Hellings (e-mail: johan.hellings@zol.be).

• Promotor: Prof. Dr. A. Vleugels (Catholic University of Louvain),
  Co-Promotor: Prof. Dr. N. Klazinga (University of Amsterdam)

Objective: To evaluate the patient safety culture in five Belgian general hospitals.

Methods: The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (translated in Dutch and validated – report available on www.zol.be/patientveiligheid/cultuur.asp (Dutch only) - was distributed hospital-wide in 5 hospitals. The survey evaluates 10 dimensions of patient safety culture and 2 outcome measures. The dimensional scores were expressed as the percentage of positive answers towards patient safety for each dimension. The survey was conducted from March through November 2005.

Results: 3940 individuals responded (overall response rate = 77%), including 2813 nurses and nurse assistants, 462 physicians, 397 physiotherapists, laboratory and radiology assistants and social workers and 64 pharmacists and pharmacy assistants. For all hospitals the dimensional positive scores were found to be low to average. The lowest scores were found for the dimensions “Hospital management support for patient safety” (35%), “Non-punitive response to error” (36%), “Hospital transfers & transitions” (36%), “Staffing” (38%) and “Teamwork across hospital units” (40%). The dimension “Teamwork within hospital units” received the highest score (70%).

First conclusions: The results indicate that aspects of the patient safety culture in these hospitals need improvement. Although the same dimensions were considered problematic in the different hospitals, significant variations between the 5 hospitals were observed. A comprehensive and tailor-made plan to improve the patient safety culture in these hospitals will be developed.

Follow up: A new measurement of the patient safety culture in these Belgian general hospitals will be organized in 06-2007. The evolution of the patient safety culture will be analysed and compared. Lessons learned will be formulated by the end of 2007.