Shanti Nair

Tata Memorial Hospital, India

Abstract Title:Bridging the Gap: A Cross-Sectional Insight into Patient Safety Culture among Nursing Staff in Tertiary Care

Biography:

Phd in Management 
MBA in Hospital Administration 
MBA in Hospital Health care Services 
Masters in psychology and spiritual health 
Oncology specialization 
Published many research articles 
Speaker in National and international conferences 
Working for Tata Memorial Hospital ,Mumbai,India

Research Interest:

Introduction: Patient safety, defined as the prevention of harm to patients, is a global priority in healthcare. It relies on a culture of safety, continuous learning from errors, and proactive systems to reduce adverse events. Nurses, being the primary caregivers in hospitals, play a vital role in ensuring patient safety. Objectives: This study aimed to assess patient safety behavior among nursing professionals in a tertiary care semi-government hospital and to identify strengths and areas needing improvement within the patient safety culture. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among150 nursing professionals between June and August 2024. Participants included both clinical and administrative nursing staff. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire consisting of 45 items related to various dimensions of patient safety. Only 133 completed the questioner. A five-point Likert scale was used, and responses were analyzed to identify safety strengths and areas for improvement. The overall patient safety grade was considered the outcome variable. Results: The response rate was 88.67%. The majority of respondents were female (87.5%) and aged 30–40 years (61%). Over half (51.1%) had more than 10 years of experience. Although 61.7% believed the hospital promotes a safety-friendly work environment, only 36% rated the overall patient safety as "very good" or above. A high percentage (81%) feared punitive actions for errors, and 74.5% were afraid to speak up about safety concerns. Teamwork across departments was rated positively by only 56%, and 80% felt understaffed. The prevalence of patient safety behavior was found to be 51.4%. Conclusion: The study reveals a moderate level of patient safety behavior among nurses, with significant barriers such as fear of blame, inadequate staffing, and lack of structured safety systems. There is a critical need for systemic improvements and fostering a non-punitive safety culture to enhance patient care quality in such settings.