Ali Maher1, Ali Ayoubian2, Sima Rafiei3, Donya Sheibani Tehrani2, Farnaz Mostofian4, Pooneh Mazyar2. 1. Department of Health Policy, School of Management and Medical Education, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Hospital Management, Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran. 3. Department of Healthcare Management, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences , Qazvin, Iran. 4. Department of Patient Safety, Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Today, healthcare organizations focus mainly on development and implementation of patient safety strategic plan to improve quality and ensure safety of provided services. The purpose of this paper is to recommend potential strategies for successful implementation of patient safety program in Iranian hospitals based on a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: In this qualitative study, key informant interviews and documentation review were done to identify strength and weakness points of Iranian hospitals in addition to opportunities and threats facing them in successful implementation of a patient safety program. Accordingly, the research team formulated main patient safety strategies and consequently prioritized them based on Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) matrix. FINDINGS: The study recommended some of the potential patient safety strategies including provision of education for employees, promoting a safety culture in hospitals, managerial support and accountability, creating a safe and high-quality delivery environment, developing national legislations for hospital staff to comply with patient safety standards and developing a continuous monitoring system for quality improvement and patient safety activities to ensure the achievement of predetermined goals. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Developing a comprehensive and integrated strategic plan for patient safety based on accurate information about the health system's weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats and trying to implement the plan in accordance with patient safety principles can help hospitals achieve great success. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) conducted a national study to recommend potential strategies for successful implementation of patient safety in Iranian hospitals based on a SWOT analysis and QSPM matrix.
PURPOSE: Today, healthcare organizations focus mainly on development and implementation of patient safety strategic plan to improve quality and ensure safety of provided services. The purpose of this paper is to recommend potential strategies for successful implementation of patient safety program in Iranian hospitals based on a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: In this qualitative study, key informant interviews and documentation review were done to identify strength and weakness points of Iranian hospitals in addition to opportunities and threats facing them in successful implementation of a patient safety program. Accordingly, the research team formulated main patient safety strategies and consequently prioritized them based on Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) matrix. FINDINGS: The study recommended some of the potential patient safety strategies including provision of education for employees, promoting a safety culture in hospitals, managerial support and accountability, creating a safe and high-quality delivery environment, developing national legislations for hospital staff to comply with patient safety standards and developing a continuous monitoring system for quality improvement and patient safety activities to ensure the achievement of predetermined goals. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Developing a comprehensive and integrated strategic plan for patient safety based on accurate information about the health system's weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats and trying to implement the plan in accordance with patient safety principles can help hospitals achieve great success. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) conducted a national study to recommend potential strategies for successful implementation of patient safety in Iranian hospitals based on a SWOT analysis and QSPM matrix.