Shanti Nair

Tata Memorial Hospital, India

Abstract Title:Bridging the Gap: A Cross-Sectional Insight into Patient Safety Culture among Nursing Staff in Tertiary Care

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Introduction: Patient safety, defined as the prevention of harm to patients, is a global priority in healthcare. It relies on a culture of safety, continuous learning from errors, and proactive systems to reduce adverse events. Nurses, being the primary caregivers in hospitals, play a vital role in ensuring patient safety. Objectives: This study aimed to assess patient safety behavior among nursing professionals in a tertiary care semi-government hospital and to identify strengths and areas needing improvement within the patient safety culture. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among150 nursing professionals between June and August 2024. Participants included both clinical and administrative nursing staff. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire consisting of 45 items related to various dimensions of patient safety. Only 133 completed the questioner. A five-point Likert scale was used, and responses were analyzed to identify safety strengths and areas for improvement. The overall patient safety grade was considered the outcome variable. Results: The response rate was 88.67%. The majority of respondents were female (87.5%) and aged 30–40 years (61%). Over half (51.1%) had more than 10 years of experience. Although 61.7% believed the hospital promotes a safety-friendly work environment, only 36% rated the overall patient safety as "very good" or above. A high percentage (81%) feared punitive actions for errors, and 74.5% were afraid to speak up about safety concerns. Teamwork across departments was rated positively by only 56%, and 80% felt understaffed. The prevalence of patient safety behavior was found to be 51.4%. Conclusion: The study reveals a moderate level of patient safety behavior among nurses, with significant barriers such as fear of blame, inadequate staffing, and lack of structured safety systems. There is a critical need for systemic improvements and fostering a non-punitive safety culture to enhance patient care quality in such settings.