Abstract
BackgroundHospital accreditation programs can positively affect nurses’ perceptions of patient safety culture. However, no previous research has identified the association between experience of hospital accreditation and nurses’ perception of patient safety culture in general hospitals. This study aims to examine 1) the level of perception of each area of patient safety culture in nurses working in general hospitals and 2) the relationship between experience of hospital accreditation and nurses’ overall perceptions of safety in Korean general hospitals.MethodsA cross-sectional survey design was used, with a convenience sample of 310 nurses from six general hospitals. Nurses were asked to complete the self-reported Korean version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture and the experience of hospital accreditation. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to examine the associations between hospital accreditation experience and perception of patient safety culture.ResultsThe patient safety composites with the highest positive response were the frequency of events reported (90.6) and supervisor/manager expectations promoting patient safety (69.4%). The composites with the lowest scores were non-punitive responses to errors (22.9%) and organizational learning/continuous improvement (35.5%). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the experience of hospital accreditation had a very small increase on overall perceptions of safety (β = 0.097, p = 0.023).ConclusionsThis study found that general hospital nurses’ experience of hospital accreditation had very weak relationship with their overall perceptions of patient safety. Therefore, a longitudinal study is needed to confirm the influence of hospital accreditation on nurses’ patient safety culture in general hospitals.
Highlights
Hospital accreditation programs can positively affect nurses’ perceptions of patient safety culture
As part of a national effort to improve healthcare quality, the Accreditation Program for Healthcare Organizations in Korea has been in effect since 2002 for general hospitals and those with more than 300 beds
(Question 18) Our procedures and systems are effective in preventing errors. Study design This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between the experience of hospital accreditation and patient safety culture in nurses in general hospitals
Summary
Hospital accreditation programs can positively affect nurses’ perceptions of patient safety culture. No previous research has identified the association between experience of hospital accreditation and nurses’ perception of patient safety culture in general hospitals. According to a report in 2000 by the US National Institute of Medicine, 44,000–98,000 patients die from patient safety incidents annually [1]. In Korea, approximately 17,000 patients die from preventable patient safety events annually, accounting for 43.5% of medical accident deaths [2]. Accreditation, as used in over 70 countries [5], is compelling, helps staff strengthen patient safety, and improves the quality of care [6]. As part of a national effort to improve healthcare quality, the Accreditation Program for Healthcare Organizations in Korea has been in effect since 2002 for general hospitals and those with more than 300 beds. With an amendment to medical law in June 2010, the assessment of medical institutions has shifted from compulsory to a self-regulated certification system; since June 2012, in particular, small- and medium-sized non-tertiary hospitals have shown more active participation [7]
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