The effect of patient safety culture on nurses’ near-miss reporting intention: the moderating role of perceived severity of near misses

Abstract

Background Reporting near misses is a practical approach to improve the confounding challenge of patient safety. Evidence suggests that patient safety culture and the characteristics of errors might have important impacts on reporting. No studies, however, have examined the relationships among patient safety culture, perceived severity of near misses and near-miss reporting. Aims To explore the relationship between patient safety culture and nurses’ near-miss reporting intention, and examine the potential moderating effect the perceived severity of near misses might have on this relationship. Methods Using a cross-sectional survey, data were collected with three validated survey instruments completed by 920 Registered Nurses in eight tertiary hospitals in China. Multiple regression analysis tested relationships among the variables. Results Nurses reported a moderate–high level of near-miss reporting intention. Patient safety culture was positively associated with nurses’ near-miss reporting intention. Perceived severity of near misses did not significantly moderate the relationship between patient safety culture and reporting intention. Conclusions Nurses generally showed a positive willingness to report near misses. A specific near-miss management and education system within a learning, supportive working environment are key components to improve reporting intention among nurses which could significantly improve patient safety.

Nurses’ Intentions, Awareness and Barriers in Reporting Adverse Events: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Tertiary Hospitals in China

“…In addition, the score of barriers to reporting adverse events was significantly and positively correlated with reporting intention; that is, the more the nurses perceived barriers to reporting, the less their reporting intention. Of these, reporting culture had the greatest impact on nurses’ intention to report adverse events, consistent with the findings of Yang et al 56 and Toren et al 57 Previous studies have pointed out that fear of discrimination and punishment is the main reason why nurses do not volunteer to report adverse events. 58 , 59 Similar to Lee et al, 60 we also found that the perceptions of reporting benefits influences nurses’ reporting intentions.…”

Factors Affecting Patient Safety Culture from Nurses’ Perspectives for Sustainable Nursing Practice

“…To promote communication openness, a comprehensive provider or team communication strategy that includes a structured communication tool, a standardized escalation mechanism, daily multidisciplinary patient-centered rounds with a daily objectives sheet, and team huddles can be implemented. The SafetyNET (an organization-wide patient safety network comprised of education, an online interactive discussion forum, and a recognition program or newsletter), which has been shown to improve overall safety event reporting and minimize moderate-adverse classified events, may also be implemented [ 29 ]. However, these ideas must be evaluated for their usefulness in the current context.…”

Effects of Just Culture and Empowerment on Patient Safety Activities of Hospital Nurses

“…Despite efforts over the past few decades, patient safety remains an important topic of interest because of the rate of safety errors in the medical environment [1]. During this period, the importance for medical institutions to develop a culture centered on support and learning, in order to improve patient safety, was established [2]. The present focus should be on a more fundamental part of building patient safety culture, related to the psychological aspects of its members.…”