Investigating the Measurement of High Reliability Organisations for Health Care Safety

Abstract

This project investigates the measurement of high reliability organisations for improving health care safety. A growing body of peer-reviewed studies continues to be published on high reliability organisations, demonstrates its recognition and importance for improving safety across high risk contexts such as health care. However, little attention has focused on developing an understanding of how it has conceptualized, and factors that have been used in its measurement. This is a significant gap which can limit its operationalization for research and practice. This paper presents a systematic review project currently underway which seeks to address this gap. After completing a systematic search and selection strategy twenty-one articles were selected for analysis. Results indicate fourteen survey instruments have been used in these studies. Seventeen different definitions of HRO were identified. Nine studies used surveys for data collection. Both independent and outcomes variables were reported, these can be used to inform an initial theoretical framework and a survey instrument.