RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Major cultural-compatibility complex: considerations on cross-cultural dissemination of patient safety programmes JF BMJ Quality & Safety JO BMJ Qual Saf FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 612 OP 615 DO 10.1136/bmjqs-2011-000283 VO 21 IS 7 A1 Heon-Jae Jeong A1 Julius C Pham A1 Minji Kim A1 Cyrus Engineer A1 Peter J Pronovost YR 2012 UL http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/21/7/612.abstract AB As the importance of patient safety has been broadly acknowledged, various improvement programmes have been developed. Many of the programmes with proven efficacy have been disseminated internationally. However, some of those attempts may encounter unexpected cross-cultural obstacles and may fail to harvest the expected success. Each country has different cultural background that has shaped the behavior of the constituents for centuries. It is crucial to take into account these cultural differences in effectively disseminating these programmes. As an organ transplantation requires tissue-compatibility between the donor and the recipient, there needs to be compatibility between the country where the program was originally developed and the nation implementing the program. Though no detailed guidelines exist to predict success, small-scale pilot tests can help evaluate whether a safety programme will work in a new cultural environment. Furthermore, a pilot programme helps reveal the source of potential conflict, so we can modify the original programme accordingly to better suit the culture to which it is to be applied. In addition to programme protocols, information about the cultural context of the disseminated programme should be conveyed during dissemination. Original programme designers should work closely with partnering countries to ensure that modifications do not jeopardise the original intention of the programme. By following this approach, we might limit barriers originating from cultural differences and increase the likelihood of success in cross-cultural dissemination.