Promoting a Culture of Safety: Use of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture in CAHs (Policy Brief #27)

Abstract

The Institute of Medicine has emphasized the importance of establishing a culture of safety to improve patient care, specifically: developing clear, highly visible patient safety programs that focus organizational attention on safety; using non-punitive systems for reporting and analyzing errors; incorporating well-established safety principles such as standardized and simplified equipment, supplies, and work processes; and establishing proven interdisciplinary team training programs for providers. We sought to investigate the degree to which these elements are present or absent in Critical Access Hospitals.  

This brief presents the results of a literature review and a rural patient safety expert panel comprised of representatives from federal and state government and academia.  

Key Findings:

  • Establishing a culture of patient safety includes promoting a nonpunitive environment of shared accountablity (a just culture), encouragement to report errors (a reporting culture), and development of a learning culture.
  • Research demonstrates a positive relationship between organizational culture and safety outcomes for both patients and employees.
  • Use of the AHRQ Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture has been effective for planning, implementing, and evaluating targeted patient safety interventions in CAHs.

Topics

Community Impact Patient Safety