Health professional perspectives of patient safety issues in intensive care units in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

AIM: To examine attitudes to patient safety in two intensive care units from the perspective of health care professionals in Saudi Arabia. BACKGROUND: Despite adverse errors leading to poor patient outcomes, there is a paucity of literature, including staff perceptions, on adverse errors in Saudi Arabian intensive care units. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Health professionals (n = 144) completed the safety attitude questionnaire-intensive care unit. RESULTS: The scores from the six safety domains of the safety attitude questionnaire-intensive care unit showed all respondents had a negative attitude towards patient safety, with participants in one intensive care unit scoring lower in all domains. The mean scores across all domains ranged from 47.1 to 70.3 on a 100-point scale, with the lowest score reported in the "perceptions of management" domain. Respiratory therapists reported a significantly higher job satisfaction score than nurses, and physicians rated communication amongst themselves and nurses as high. CONCLUSION: There are significant challenges for safety culture in this study, with negative attitudes across all domains. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Managers may need to review and consider policies relating to safety culture including workforce planning, leadership and patient centred care. Further research into this global health priority is required to contribute to improving patient safety in intensive care units.