Perceived patient safety culture in a critical care transport program

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the association among selected safety culture dimensions and safety outcomes in the context of a critical care transport (CCT) program.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional correlational design used the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture to validate perceived safety culture among personnel (n = 76) in a large Midwestern CCT program.

Results: Findings revealed significant associations between 1) teamwork and frequency of error reporting (r = .428, P < .001), overall perception of safety (r = .745, P < .001), and perceived patient safety grade (r = -.681, P < .001); 2) between perception of manager actions promoting safety and frequency of error reporting (r = .521, P < .001), overall perception of safety (r = .779, P < .001), and perceived patient safety grade (r = -.756, P < .001); and 3) between communication openness and frequency of error reporting (r = .575, P < .001), overall perception of safety (r = .588, P < .001), and perceived patient safety grade (r = -.627, P < .001).

Conclusion: The study supports other literature showing significant associations among safety culture dimensions and safety outcomes and provides a framework for future research on safety culture in CCT programs.