Abstract
BackgroundFor optimum delivery of service, an establishment needs to ensure a safe and secure environment. In 2011, the South African government promulgated the National Core Standards for Health Establishments for safety and security for all employees in all establishments. Little is known about whether these standards are being complied to.Aim and setting: To assess the perceptions of health care professionals (HCPs) on safety and security at Odi District Hospital.MethodologyA sample of 181 out of a total of 341 HCPs was drawn through a systematic sampling method from each HCP category. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The SPSS® statistical software version 22 was used for data analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at < 0.05.ResultsThere were more female respondents than male respondents (136; 75.10%). The dominant age group was 28–47 years (114; 57.46%). Perceptions on security personnel, their efficiency and the security system were significantly affirmed (p = 0.0001). The hospital infrastructure, surroundings and plan in emergencies were perceived to be safe (p < 0.0001). The hospital lighting system was perceived as inadequate (p = 0.0041). Only 36 (20.2%) HCPs perceived that hospital authorities were concerned about employees’ safety (p < 0.0001).ConclusionHCPs had positive perceptions regarding the hospital’s security system. Except for the negative perceptions of the lighting system and the perceived lack of hospital authorities’ concern for staff safety, perceptions of the HCPs on the hospital working environment were positive. The hospital authorities need to establish the basis of negative perceptions and enforce remedial measures to redress them.
Highlights
For optimum delivery of service, an establishment needs to ensure a safe and secure environment
In British Columbia (BC), the health care sector accounted for more injuries and time loss than any other sector until 2003
According to the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of BC, the injury rate in the BC health care sector has declined dramatically since 1998.3 The WCB examined how this was accomplished and linked it to the manner in which occupational health and safety measures were introduced through implementation of safety protocols in the interests of patient safety[4]; Kjellén defined ‘safety’ as protection against hazards, whereas security is protection against threats.[5]
Summary
For optimum delivery of service, an establishment needs to ensure a safe and secure environment. In 2011, the South African government promulgated the National Core Standards for Health Establishments for safety and security for all employees in all establishments. Health care institutions are meant to provide a safe and secure environment for all users of the facilities.[1] Yet threats to the safety and security of patients and hospital staff continue to affect the physician’s oath to ‘do no harm’,2 in the sense that patient care may be compromised where health care professionals (HCPs) become hesitant to offer help for fear of endangering their own lives. ‘Security’ is a state of being free from danger or threat, for example, procedures followed or measures taken to ensure that state of feeling stable and free from fear or anxiety.[7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: African journal of primary health care & family medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
