Evaluation of patient safety on the basis of the knowledge of nursing personnel

Introduction. Achievement of a proper safety culture in health care system requires widening of the knowledge (obtained from clinical
trials) concerning the unfavourable conditions of medical errors. Models of good practice must be developed to avoid such errors. This
requires a joint effort of the whole medical team, with every member being responsible for the reduction of the number of medical errors.

Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to follow nurses’ evaluation of the safety culture in terms of a general patient safety.

Material and methods. The aim was achieved with the use of a standardised survey, Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture developed
by the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality. The questionnaire consisted of 42 questions, and the evaluation was based on a 5-point
scale. The study involved 111 students from Master’s degree programs at the Medical University of Warsaw. All of them were professionally
active as nurses.

Results and conclusions. The results of the study revealed that 60.3% of the nursing staff are convinced that their errors will be used against
them. As much as 55% of the survived nurses believe that procedures and the system of quality assurance are successful in preventing medical
errors. According to 48% of the respondents, safety provided to patients is not sufficient.
The study showed that it is absolutely necessary to develop a climate of support for those staff members who committed a medical error.

Nursing Topics 2010; 18 (2): 101-104