Quality and safety of the nurse practice environment: Implications for management commitment to a culture of safety.

Abstract

The Philippines experiences several challenges pertaining to the quality of the practice environment (PE) and nursing quality safety (NQS) among nurses. Although there is already considerable empirical data on PE effects on NQS, there is still little overall information on the association between these variables. This survey study examined the contribution of nurses' perceptions of their PE on their perception of their PE's quality of safety among hospital nurses in the Philippines. This survey was conducted in two government hospitals and two private hospitals in the Philippines. A total of 374 nurses selected from two selected government hospitals and two private hospitals in the Philippines using a convenience sample technique. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire focusing on the PE and NQS among nurses. The overall PE mean score of nurses is 3.07 (SD = 0.159) while the overall mean score of their NQS is 3.97 (SD = 0.702). NQS was higher in female nurses compared with male nurses (M = 2404 vs 4.16). Nurses assigned to emergency departments (F = 1.04, [df = 11], and P = .025) presented higher perceived NQS compared with those in other departments. Nurses report moderate PE and higher NQS. Sex and emergency room department are significantly associated with NQS. Health care services have an obligation to ensure strong PE, as an important factor in regard to nursing management and affecting the QNS.