Patient Safety Culture among Physicians at Public Hospitals in Sanaa, Yemen: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Patient safety is a critical component to the quality of health care, represents a global public health problem which affects countries at all levels of development. Healthcare organizations endeavour to improve their quality of care. Aims of study were to explore the patient safety culture among physicians according to AHRQ (Agency of Health Research and Quality) dimensions, to determine grade of patient safety at public hospitals, and to determine the rate of event reports.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study, using hospital survey on patient safety culture to measure the 12 dimensions of the patient safety culture at public hospitals in Sanaa, Yemen. SPSS 20. was used for statistical analysis, descriptive analysis, and ANOVA f-test.
Results: Out of 384 physicians, positive response rate was (66%), revealing acceptable level of patient safety. The highest positive response rate was team-work within units (69.1%) while the lowest positive responses was nonpunititve response to errors (29.8%). Majority of respondents did not record any event report during the past 12 months. The results showed that hospital physicians had weak perception toward patient safety culture.
Conclusion: Patient safety is a low priority at public hospitals, there is a tendency for under-reporting of errors. To create a culture of safety and improvement, fear of blame must eliminate, and to create a climate of open communication, continuous learning and focus on leadership should be considered.