Patient Safety Culture and associated factors in Chiro and Gelemso Hospitals West Hararge Zone, Oromia Regional State, East Ethiopia,2013

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.