Ying Li1, Yanming Zhao2, Yanhua Hao3, Mingli Jiao1, Hongkun Ma4, Baijun Teng5, Kai Yang6, Tongbo Sun4, Qunhong Wu3, Hong Qiao7. 1. Department of Health Policy and Hospital Management, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. 2. Department of CT, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. 3. Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. 4. Department of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. 5. Health Development Research Center of Heilongjiang Province, Health and Family Planning Commission of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China. 6. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. 7. Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Assessing the patient safety culture is necessary for improving patient safety. Research on patient safety culture has attracted considerable attention. Currently, there is little research on patient safety culture in China generally, and in Heilongjiang in northern China specifically. The aim of the study is to explore the perception of healthcare employees about patient safety culture and to determine whether perception differs per sex, age, profession, years of experience, education level and marital status. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Thirteen tertiary hospitals in Heilongjiang, northern China. PARTICIPANTS: About 1024 healthcare employees. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The perception of healthcare employees was measured using the safety attitude questionnaire, which include six dimensions. Higher scores represented more positive attitudes. An analysis of variance was used to compare socio-demographic differences per position, marital status and education; t-tests were used for sex, age and experience. RESULTS: A total of 1024 (85.33%) valid questionnaires were returned. The mean score of the six dimensions was 73.74/100; work conditions (80.19) had the highest score of all the dimensions, and safety climate (70.48) had the lowest. Across distinct dimensions, there were significant differences in perceptions of patient safety culture per sex, age, years of experience, position, marital status and education level (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings can help in assessing perceived patient safety culture among healthcare employees and identifying dimensions that require improvement. Interventions aimed at specific socio-demographic groups are necessary to improve patient safety culture.
OBJECTIVE: Assessing the patient safety culture is necessary for improving patient safety. Research on patient safety culture has attracted considerable attention. Currently, there is little research on patient safety culture in China generally, and in Heilongjiang in northern China specifically. The aim of the study is to explore the perception of healthcare employees about patient safety culture and to determine whether perception differs per sex, age, profession, years of experience, education level and marital status. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Thirteen tertiary hospitals in Heilongjiang, northern China. PARTICIPANTS: About 1024 healthcare employees. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The perception of healthcare employees was measured using the safety attitude questionnaire, which include six dimensions. Higher scores represented more positive attitudes. An analysis of variance was used to compare socio-demographic differences per position, marital status and education; t-tests were used for sex, age and experience. RESULTS: A total of 1024 (85.33%) valid questionnaires were returned. The mean score of the six dimensions was 73.74/100; work conditions (80.19) had the highest score of all the dimensions, and safety climate (70.48) had the lowest. Across distinct dimensions, there were significant differences in perceptions of patient safety culture per sex, age, years of experience, position, marital status and education level (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings can help in assessing perceived patient safety culture among healthcare employees and identifying dimensions that require improvement. Interventions aimed at specific socio-demographic groups are necessary to improve patient safety culture.