Culture of blame—an ongoing burden for doctors and patient safety

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Ognjen Brborović
• Author: Hana Brborović
• Author: Iskra Alexandra Nola
• Author: Milan Milošević
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Public Health and Health Care

Abstract (english)

Introduction: Every procedure in healthcare carries a certain degree of inherent unsafety resulting from problems in practice, which might lead to a healthcare adverse event (HAE). It is very important, and even mandatory, to report HAE. The point of HAE reporting is not to blame the person, but to learn from the HAE in order to prevent future HAEs. ----- Study question: Our aim was to examine the prevalence and the impact of culture of blame on health workers' health. ----- Methods: A cross-sectional study on healthcare workers at two Croatian hospitals was conducted using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (PSC). ----- Results: The majority of PSC dimensions in both hospitals were high. Among the dimensions, Hospital Handoffs and Transitions and Overall Perceptions of Safety had the highest values. The Nonpunitive Response to Error dimension had low values, indicating the ongoing culture of blame. The Staffing dimension had low values, indicating the ongoing shortage of doctors and nurses. -----Discussion: We found inconsistencies between a single-item measure and PSC dimensions. It was expected that Frequency of Events Reported (PSC dimension) relates to Number of Events Reported (single-item measure). However, in our study, the relations between these pairs of measures were different between hospitals. Our results indicate the ongoing culture of blame. Healthcare workers do not report HAE because they fear they will be punished by management or by law.

• Keywords (english): Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Croatia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data; Hospitals; Humans; Male; Organizational Culture; Patient Safety; Physicians; Surveys and Questionnaires
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Numbering: vol. 16, no. 23, p. 4826
• p-ISSN: 1660-4601
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234826
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:956733
• Publication: 2019-12-01
• Document URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234826
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 10:41:48