Assessing and Improving a Hospital's Safety Culture, Which Includes Reporting, Leadership, and Teamwork
Abstract
Background: A strong hospital safety culture is essential for delivering high-quality care and preventing adverse events. It encompasses the values, attitudes, and behaviors shared by healthcare workers that influence patient safety outcomes. This study aimed to assess and improve a hospital’s safety culture, focusing on three critical domain-reporting, leadership, and teamwork—through a structured intervention program.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with an interventional component was conducted among 200 healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, and allied health staff. Data was collected using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) before and after a six-week intervention that included leadership workshops, team-building exercises, and safety reporting awareness sessions. Out of the initial sample, 182 participants completed both assessments. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 27, with paired t-tests employed to compare pre- and post-intervention results. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The findings revealed significant improvement across all domains of safety culture. The perception of teamwork increased from 63.8% to 88.8%, leadership support from 51.3% to 81.5%, and reporting culture from 43.0% to 76.5%. The mean overall safety culture score improved from 3.18 ± 0.54 before the intervention to 4.14 ± 0.51 after, showing a statistically significant enhancement (p < 0.001). Participants also reported feeling safer when reporting incidents and perceived leadership as more responsive and supportive following the intervention.
Conclusion: The study concluded that a comprehensive, multidisciplinary intervention can significantly strengthen hospital safety culture. Enhancing leadership engagement, promoting teamwork, and fostering a non-punitive reporting environment led to measurable improvements in safety perceptions. Sustained commitment to continuous education, communication, and leadership support is essential for maintaining a culture of safety and ensuring long-term improvements in patient care outcomes.
