Safety culture in a pharmacy setting using a pharmacy survey on patient safety culture: a cross-sectional study in China

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the attitudes and perceptions of patient safety culture for pharmacy workers in China by using a Pharmacy Survey on Patient Safety Culture (PSOPSC), and to assess the psychometric properties of the translated Chinese language version of the PSOPSC.DesignCross-sectional study.ParticipantsData were obtained from 20 hospital pharmacies in the southwest part of China.MethodsWe performed χ2 test to explore the differences on pharmacy staff in different hospital and qualification levels and countries towards patient safety culture. We also computed descriptive statistics, internal consistency coefficients and intersubscale correlation analysis, and then conducted an exploratory factor analysis. A test–retest was performed to assess reproducibility of the items.ResultsA total of 630 questionnaires were distributed of which 527 were responded to validly (response rate 84%). The positive response rate for each item ranged from 37% to 90%. The positive response rate on three dimensions (‘Teamwork’, ‘Staff Training and Skills’ and ‘Staffing, Work Pressure and Pace’) was higher than that of Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) data (p<0.05). There was a statistical difference in the perception of patient safety culture at different hospital and qualification levels. The internal consistency of the total survey was comparatively satisfied (Cronbach's α=0.89).ConclusionsThe results demonstrated that among the pharmacy staffs surveyed in China, there was a positive attitude towards patient safety culture in their organisations. Identifying perspectives of patient safety culture from pharmacists in different hospital and qualification levels are important, since this can help support decisions about action to improve safety culture in pharmacy settings. The Chinese translation of the PSOPSC questionnaire (V.2012) applied in our study is acceptable.

Patient safety practices among community pharmacists in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

“…The average PRR for the patient safety culture (74.7%) in the Abu Dhabi Emirate is more than that in previous studies performed in Taiwan, China, Malaysia and the USA . The result suggested that the significance of the support of the values of patient safety in the community pharmacy practice is realised by the community pharmacists in Abu Dhabi.…”

“…Although the response rate among the pharmacists was 70.6%, which was less than that of the study implemented in the USA and China (75%, 84%), it is considered a good response. A high response rate on the survey about patient safety perceptions might be a measure of the pharmacist's attentiveness …”

“…Of medical errors, medication errors account for about a quarter of the incidents which threaten patient safety . The results of a systematic review of studies conducted in hospitals in the USA and Australia illustrated that 770 000 people annually were injured or died from drug errors . Approximately 28% of ADEs are associated with a medication error that can be classified as preventable.…”

“…There are several worldwide studies that analysed patient safety culture mainly in a hospital set‐up and a limited number that studied the community pharmacies . However, there is no study on patient safety culture that has focused on either a hospital or a community pharmacy set‐up in the UAE.…”

Assessment of Surgery Resident Competency Provided by Patients

“…30 Regarding another factor of patient care, many patients (177/6.0%) regarded resident competency in relation to drug side effects as poor. A large number of people are injured or die in hospitals due to adverse drug events each year, 34 and the delivery of unsafe medical care has resulted in a trend toward increasing conflict between physicians and patients in China. 35 Thus, patient safety should have particular importance, 36,37 and clinical pharmacy services in particular can contribute to improving patient safety and reducing hospital costs associated with medication errors.…”