The correlation between work environment and patient safety in a general hospital in Indonesia

Abstract

Patient safety is an important for health care services in the hospital setting. The most difficult obstacle in ensuring patient safety is creating a safety. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between the hospital work environment, nurses’ characteristics, and patient safety. The method was a descriptive correlative study with a cross-sectional approach. The data were obtained from 123 ward nurses through using valid and reliable questionnaires. The results showed a significant relationship between hospital work environment and nurses’ characteristics (education level, length of service, and training concerning patient safety) (p < .05). In contrast, nurses’ age and marital status were not related to patient safety in the hospital (p > .05). Findings indicate that the hospital work environment and nurses’ characteristics are related to patient safety. The study recommended to build a model of patient's safety culture that includes all aspects that influence patients’ safety culture.