Abstract:
Background: Patient safety is an important component of the quality of health care
received by patients and clients. However, there is lack of evidence about patient safety
/safety culture & associated factors in hospitals of Ethiopia.
Objective of the study: To assess the patient safety culture and associated factors in Chiro
and Gelemso hospitals, West Hararge Zone, 2013.
Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study using quantitative method of data
collection was conducted from September 10-October 10, 2013.Data were collected by self
administered questionnaire method. The collected data were entered, coded, verified and
prepared for final statistical analysis by using EPI data & SPSS computer packages. The
data were analyzed by calculating frequency, percentage & summary statistics for back
ground variables & patient safety culture dimensions and finally the data were presented
using tables. After principal component analysis items with Eigen value greater than 1
were extracted &retained as a principal component to represent the dimensions for further
analysis and then multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictors
of the dependent variable.
Result: Of the total of 12 dimensions of patient safety culture only three (3) dimensions:
teamwork within hospital wards (84%), teamwork across hospital wards (70%),
organizational learning & continuous improvement (61%) were identified to have
composite scores above 50%.. However, nine (9) of patient safety culture dimensions had
composite scores below 50%. All of the back ground variables & majority of the patient
safety culture dimensions except the three (3):organizational learning/continuous
improvement(p=0.003, B=0.296; 95%CI: 0.102-0.490), feedback and communication
about error(p=000,B=0.390; 95%CI:0.202-0.577) & teamwork across hospital
wards(p=0.021,B= -0.184;95%CI: -0.481-(-0.040) did not have statistically significant
association with the outcome variable “frequency of event reporting’’.
Conclusion & recommendations: The study showed that only three of patient safety
culture dimensions: teamwork within hospital wards, teamwork across hospital wards,
organizational learning & continuous improvement were identified as areas of strength.
The remaining 9 patient safety culture dimensions were identified as areas of
improvements (gaps).This suggests that there is no a just/safe patient safety culture in the
hospitals. Thus, system related factors of safety should get priority to improve patient
safety in the hospitals. Moreover, majority of safety culture dimensions & all of
background variables were insignificant to predict the dependent variable.
