Safety culture and incident learning systems in radiation oncology: Staff perceptions across Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

Introduction Radiation therapy has a highly complex pathway and uses detailed quality assurance protocols and incident learning systems (ILSs) to mitigate risk; however, errors can still occur. The safety culture (SC) in a department influences its commitment and effectiveness in maintaining patient safety. Methods Perceptions of SC and knowledge and understanding of ILSs and their use were evaluated for radiation oncology staff across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). A validated healthcare survey tool (the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture) was used, with additional specialty‐focussed supporting questions. A total of 220 radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and radiation oncology medical physicists participated. Results An overall positive SC was indicated, with strength in teamwork (83.7%), supervisor/manager/leader support (83.3%) and reporting events (77.1%). The weakest areas related to communication about error (63.9%), hospital‐level management support (60.5%) and handovers and information exchange (58.0%). Barriers to ILS use included ‘it takes too long’ and that many respondents must use multiple reporting systems, including mandatory hospital‐level systems. These are generally not optimal for specific radiation oncology needs. Varied understanding was indicated of what and when to report. Conclusion The findings report the ANZ perspective on ILS and SC, highlighting weaknesses, barriers and areas for further investigation. Differences observed in some areas suggest that a unified state, national or bi‐national ILS specific to radiation oncology might eliminate multiple reporting systems and reduce reporting time. It could also provide more consistent and robust approaches to incident reporting, information sharing and analysis.