Egyptian neonatal safety training network: A dream to improve patient safety culture in egyptian neonatal intensive care units

Abstract

Background: Patient safety is fundamental to upholding the quality of health care. Health-care workers in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) face daily challenges to sustain safe care for their patients and to counteract medical errors. Aims: The objectives were to develop the Egyptian Neonatal Safety Training Network (ENSTN) to promote safe health care practices in NICUs through training of Health-care workers on PtS and dissemination of a culture for patient safety. Methods: The ENSTN project accomplishments were completed through 8 work packages. The first package activities were intended to establish standards of knowledge and skills for safe practices in the NICU, develop the course specifi-cations for PtS and develop standards. The remaining packages included: a professional patient safety reporting system and database; cohesive shared education and training in patient safety leadership and research; development of protocols and guidelines to enhance and ensure sustainability of safe practice; dissemination of ENSTN messages; confirmation of quality measures and adequate performance; sustainability of patient safety practices in the NICU; and structuring the management plan and facilitating project activities. Results: Project outputs included: patient safety standards for NICUs in Arabic and English; 3 patient safety courses for physicians, nurses and other health-care workers the ENSTN electronic reporting system for medical errors and guide-lines; and a parent’s booklet. Conclusions: Continuous organized training for health-care workers on patient safety and implementation of ENSTN standards to reduce medical errors in the NICU are needed. We implemented the first confidential patient safety reporting system for NICU.