The relationship between the perception of open disclosure of patient safety incidents, perception of patient safety culture, and ethical awareness in nurses

Abstract

Background Scientific advances have resulted in more complex medical systems, which in turn have led to an increase in the number of patient safety incidents (PSIs). In this environment, the importance of honest disclosure of PSIs is rising, which highlight the need to settle a reliable system. This study aimed to investigate the effects of patient safety culture and ethical awareness on open disclosure of PSIs. Methods Data were collected from 389 nurses using self-reported perceptions of open disclosure of PSIs, perceptions of patient safety culture, and ethical awareness. Results Perception of open disclosure of PSIs was significantly correlated with ethical awareness and perception of patient safety culture. Ethical awareness had the greatest impact on perception of PSIs, and two components of the perception of patient safety culture, namely overall knowledge about patient safety and staffing, were found to have significant effects. Conclusions To enhance nurses’ perception of open disclosure of PSIs, educational curriculum and programs that teach and practice fundamental ethical values are needed. Furthermore, it also calls for effort on the part of healthcare institutions and the government, as well as people’s trust, to implement a legal safety net and foster patient safety culture to promote honest disclosure of PSIs to patients.

A comparative study on patient safety attitude between nurses and doctors in operating rooms

“…In Korea, previous research has reported on patient safety including the operating room environment and communication procedures; 9 , 10 and an analysis of the perception of patient safety and related factors has been undertaken. 11 However, these previous studies have focused on nurses more than physicians.…”

“…11 However, these previous studies have focused on nurses more than physicians. 9 – 11 In contrast, studies on the effects of patient safety attitude of surgical teams, including physicians, on the surgical time-out are difficult to find. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: (i) to compare the differences in perception of patient safety attitude, surgical time-out and recognition count error between nurses and doctors; and (ii) to identify correlations between perceived safety attitude, surgical time-out and recognition count error.…”

Development of a scale measuring home-visiting nurses’ attitudes toward patient safety: a cross-sectional study

“…Given that HVNs provide care at the patient’s home, any potential mistakes are difficult for others to detect. Education on basic ethical values is important to raise nurses’ awareness of public disclosure of malpractice by patients [ 40 ]. Nurses’ ethics influence their perceptions and behavior toward patient safety.…”

A prática do disclosure como estratégia para a segurança do paciente no Brasil e sua relevância para os cuidados em saúde de pessoas idosas

“…Iniciativas internacionais têm desenvolvido normas de disclosure como tentativa de solução para melhoria dos cuidados em saúde (4) (5) (7) Com raras exceções, infelizmente, as instituições de saúde e as universidades no Brasil não preparam seus profissionais para informar adequadamente o paciente e seus familiares a ocorrência de danos (8). Como consequência, a falha na comunicação reduz a confiança entre pacientes e profissionais e aumenta a possibilidade de ocorrência de processos judiciais.…”

“…Já há evidências que comunicar ao paciente um dano cometido durante os cuidados, tem vantagens econômicas e jurídicas, sendo uma iniciativa apoiada por profissionais, pacientes e familiares em muitas organizações internacionais de saúde (6). Para que a divulgação acerca de algum dano seja eficaz, os profissionais devem sempre comunicar-se com o paciente de maneira transparente (7). E para que a prática do disclosure alcance sua finalidade, a ação deve ser sempre acompanhada pelo pedido de desculpas.…”