A Study on Patient Safety Culture Change between 2013 and 2019 at a University Hospital in a Rural Area of Japan

OBJECTIVES:

This study aims to examine the difference of the extent of patient safety culture at Shimane University Hospital in a rural area, Japan.

METHODS:

Questionnaire surveys in both 2013 and 2019 were conducted for hospital staff with using Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture developed by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. It consists of 12 patient safety dimensions. Out of 12 dimensions, seven dimensions indicate unit-level aspects and three dimensions indicate hospital-level aspects. Furthermore, these are classified into four categories: Communication, Organizational activity for patient safety and Organizational learning-continuous improvement. The results were examined from the above two viewpoints.

RESULTS:

Valid number of respondents were 641 in 2013 and 640 in 2019 persons, respectively. The overall average positive response rate (PRR) for the 12 dimensions was 53.6% in 2013 and 55.0% in 2019. In the terms of seven unit-level aspects, the average PRR was 57.5% in 2013 and 59.6% in 2019. In terms of three organization-level aspects, the average PRR was 42.2% in 2013 and 41.9% in 2019. On the contrary, in terms of categories, the average PRR for Communication was 54.7% in 2013 and 56.2% in 2019. Although the average PRR for Organizational activity for patient safety were 49.2% in 2013 and 50.5% in 2019. PRRs of four professions except office worker chronologically increased, whereas PRR for office worker decreased (52.3% in 2013 and 43.5% in 2019).

CONCLUSIONS:

The survey of 2019 indicated that the PRR of almost Dimensions increased or remained roughly unchanged. This suggested that patient safety activity so far made hospital staff’s recognition raised. Nevertheless, the PRR of D9 indicated that working environment of hospital remained substantially inferior under the social insurance medical fee schedule. Additionally, office workers without opportunities to come in contact with patients may need to be trained in different way.