Understanding the Relationship Between Care Quality Perception and Patient Safety Culture
Background
Assessing the perceived quality of care and safety culture by nurses is an important part of nursing practice and is vital for improving the quality of nursing care.
Aim
This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived quality of care and patient safety culture.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted using stratified and convenience sampling techniques from March 2023 to January 2024 among 412 nurses working in hospitals at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The data collection tools were standard care behavior questionnaires (CBI-42) and the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests at a significance level of 0.05.
Results
The perceived quality of care among nurses was high, with a score of 4.79 (1-6). The highest score was in “knowledge and professional skill” (5.03), while “communication and positive attitude” scored the lowest (4.59). Patient safety culture averaged 3.35 (1-5), with “overall perception of patient safety” at 4.82 and “non-punitive response to error” at 2.40. A significant direct relationship was found between perceived quality of care and patient safety culture (r=0.226, p<0.001), indicating that improvements in one may enhance the other.
Conclusion
Due to the existence of a direct relationship between perceived quality of care and patient safety culture, appropriate training and using the experiences of others, improving the relationship between nurses and patients, creating a sense of security in nurses, and solving the problems of nurses can enhance the quality of health care services.
