Patient safety culture and attitudes among emergency care unit nurses in Türkiye

ABSTRACT

Background: Nurses have a key role in ensuring the safety of patients, reducing the likelihood of errors and improving patient outcomes. Aims: This study aimed to determine the factors affecting patient safety, with a focus on the culture and attitudes of nurses working in emergency units. Method: This cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study was conducted between 10 January and 30 August 2015 among 282 nurses who worked at emergency units of 19 hospitals in the north-central Black Sea Region of Türkiye Data were obtained using descriptive information forms, the Patient Safety Attitude Scale (PSAS) and the Patient Safety Culture Scale (PSCS). Results: The mean total PSAS score was 152.26 [standard deviation (SD) 22.54; range 46–230], while the mean total PSCS score was 2.56 (SD 0.52; range 1–4). Around a quarter of the participants reported errors, such as medication errors and patient falls, which threatened patient safety in the emergency units. The case report forms were not filled when these errors occurred. Conclusion: Attitude and culture of nurses in hospital emergency units towards patient safety differed according to their sociodemographic and work–life characteristics, including being satisfied with working in the emergency room, quality of work–life balance, level of job satisfaction, and number of years working in the emergency room.