Promoting a Culture of Safety: Use of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture in CAHs (Briefing Paper #30)

Authors

Zach T. Croll MPH, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
Andrew F. Coburn PhD, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
Karen B. Pearson MLIS, MA, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow

Document Type

Briefing Paper

Publication Date

4-2012

Keywords

MRHRC, Patient Safety Culture, patient safety, Critical Access Hospitals, rural hospitals, Flex, rural

Abstract

The Institute of Medicine has emphasized the importance of establishing a culture of safety to improve patient care, specifically: developing clear, highly visible patient safety programs that focus organizational attention on safety; using non-punitive systems for reporting and analyzing errors; incorporating well-established safety principles such as standardized and simplified equipment, supplies, and work processes; and establishing proven interdisciplinary team training programs for providers. We sought to investigate the degree to which these elements are present or absent in Critical Access Hospitals.

This report presents the results of a literature review and a rural patient safety expert panel comprised of representatives from federal and state government and academia. There is another policy brief that summarizes these same findings.

Funding Organization

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Grant Number

PHS Grant No. U27RH01080

Recommended Citation

Croll, Z. T., Coburn, A. F., & Pearson, K. B. (2012). Promoting a culture of safety: Use of the hospital survey on patient safety culture in critical access hospitals. (Briefing Paper No. 30). Portland, ME: Flex Monitoring Team.