Patient safety culture and associated factors among pharmacy professionals working in Bahir Dar City public hospitals using a pharmacy survey on patient safety culture (PSOPSC).

BACKGROUND

Adverse events resulting from medical care continue to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Many individuals experience harm due to medical errors, particularly in developing nations. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the patient safety culture among pharmacy professionals employed in public hospitals within Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia.

METHODS

A descriptive institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2024 and April 2024. The Pharmacy Survey on Patient Safety Culture (PSOPSC) assessment tool was administered to all pharmacy professionals working at the three public hospitals. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26, followed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify predictors. Variables with a P value < 0.05 at a 95% Cl in the multivariable analysis were declared statistically significant.

RESULTS

Of the 118 participants, 110 responded, resulting in a response rate of 93.2%. The positive response rates for the 11 patient safety culture dimensions varied from 40.91-70.61%. According to the Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ) guidelines, the average positive response rate was moderate at 59.09%. The lowest positive response rate was for 'communication about mistakes' at 40.91%, while 'teamwork within a unit area' had the highest positive response rate of 70.61%. The seven dimensions that fell within the AHRQ standard had a moderate positive response rate, ranging from 50.3 to 69.69%, whereas 'teamwork within a unit area' (70.61%) and 'response to mistakes' (70.45%) had a high positive response rate within the high positive response rate of the AHRQ standard (≥ 70.0%). However, two other dimensions, 'communication about mistakes' (40.91%) and 'communication openness' (48.47%) had a low positive response rate within the low positive response rate of the AHRQ standards (< 50.0%). Of the participants, 30.9% reported at least one event over the past year, while 37.3% rated the level of patient safety as 'very good or excellent'. Several factors were found to have a significant association with the level of positive response rate on patient safety culture, including educational level, years of working experience in the hospital and unit area, direct interaction with patients, patient safety training, and five dimensions of patient safety culture: staff training and skills, communication openness, communication about prescriptions across shifts, communication about mistakes, and physical space and environment.

CONCLUSIONS

A moderate level of patient safety culture indicated that targeted interventions are required to address key areas contributing to this moderate positive response rate. To create effective hospital pharmacy settings, teamwork, leadership skills, effective communication, employee counseling, adequate staffing, prompt response procedures, and accurate reporting protocols are essential.