Abstract

The problem of patient falls in healthcare organizations is a pressing concern for modern healthcare. Falls can lead to serious consequences, including significant limitations in physical activity, the development of anxiety disorders, and depression. Additionally, fall-related injuries are associated with high costs for treatment and rehabilitation. Special comprehensive programs are implemented in healthcare organizations to prevent falls, but the success of their implementation largely depends on the level of safety culture among healthcare personnel. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the level of safety culture among healthcare personnel and the frequency of patient falls. Methods. The study was conducted in the multidisciplinary clinic JSC «Medicina» in Moscow from 2014 to 2020. The safety culture was assessed using the SOPS Hospital Survey 1.0 (HSPSC). The frequency of falls was evaluated based on online forms filled out by staff. Results. The study assessed the dynamics of the fall frequency per 1,000 bed-days in the hospital. Falls were categorized according to the severity of associated injuries. A correlation was found between the fall frequency and safety culture composites, such as «teamwork» –0.826 (p=0.022), «learning from errors» –0.747 (p=0.049), «executive actions in support of patient safety» –0.760 (p=0.047), «overall impression on patient safety» –0.821 (p=0.024), «frequency of reported incidents» 0.782 (p=0.038), «openness of communication» –0.846 (p=0.017), «unit collaboration» –0.867 (p=0.012), «shift handoffs and patient transfers» –0.791 (p=0.034), «non-punitive response to errors» 0.838 (p=0.019), and «average level of safety culture across all composites» –0.809 (p=0.027) (table 1). Conclusion. The study confirms the importance of assessing safety culture as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent patient falls in hospitals. The level of safety culture among healthcare personnel is inversely correlated with the frequency of patient falls. An increase in the level of safety culture is associated with a decrease in fall frequency and a reduction in the number of associated injuries. Additionally, the level of safety culture may potentially serve as an integral indicator of the effectiveness of programs aimed at preventing adverse events related to medical care. The study’s findings are relevant for a wide range of readers interested in issues related to healthcare safety.

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