Assessment of patient safety culture in intensive care from the health team’s perspective

Abstract

The aim in this descriptive and exploratory study with a quantitative approach was to assess the dimensions of the patient safety culture from the perspective of health professionals at an Intensive Care Unit. Data collection took place between November 2013 and January 2014, using the questionnaire Survey on Patient Safety in Hospitals, administered to 59 health professionals. The results showed better ratings in the following dimensions: expectations and supervisor’s actions to promote patient safety, teamwork at the health care service and openness to communication. The aspects that received the worst ratings were support of hospital management for patient safety; non-punitive responses to errors and teamwork across health care services. The study demonstrated a safety culture with potential improvements in all dimensions of the patient safety culture, offering support to plan patient safety strategies at the hospital.