Patient Safety Culture, Attitude Toward Falls, and Fall Prevention Activities of Care Workers in Long-term Care Facilities

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide basic data for the improvement of patient safety by investigating the relationship among patient safety culture, attitude toward falls, and fall prevention activities of care workers in long-term care facilities. Methods: This study was a descriptive correlational research. Data were collected between August 9 and October 2, 2014 from 190 care workers in long-term care facilities in G, S, and W cities. A structured questionnaire which included patient safety culture, attitude toward falls, and fall prevention activities was used for data collection. Results: There were positive correlations between patient safety culture and attitude toward falls, and between patient safety culture and fall prevention activities. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between attitude toward falls and fall prevention activities. A more positive evaluation of level of safety management correlated with a positive attitude toward falls and high practice of fall prevention activities. Conclusion: Findings indicate that considering care workers’ careers, nurses should enhance patient safety education and establish a system that objectively evaluates patient safety management activity including fall prevention activities. 주요어: 요양기관, 요양보호사, í™˜ìžì•ˆì „, 낙상, 예방활동 Key Words: Nursing homes, Caregivers, Patient safety, Accidental falls, Accident prevention