Thirst for change in a challenging environment: healthcare providers’ perceptions of safety culture in a large Irish teaching hospital

• Published in: Irish journal of medical science Vol. 191; no. 2; pp. 607 - 613
• Main Authors: Gleeson, Laura L., O’Brien, Gary L., O’Mahony, Denis, Byrne, Stephen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.04.2022
• Subjects: Attitude of Health Personnel; Family Medicine; General Practice; Health Personnel; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Patient Safety; Safety Management; Thirst; Interdisciplinary care; Irish healthcare; Safety culture; Tertiary care
• ISSN: 0021-1265; 1863-4362
• DOI: 10.1007/s11845-021-02611-5

Background The Irish healthcare system is currently recognised as being understaffed and under-resourced due to historic underfunding and the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis. This descriptive study investigated healthcare providers’ perceptions of the safety culture in a large Irish teaching hospital. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate healthcare workers’ perceptions of the safety culture in a large Irish teaching hospital in a climate of national under-resourcing of healthcare. Methods Seventeen semi-structured interviews were carried out with patient-attending staff between February and June 2019. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Two predominant themes emerged from the interviews: (1) challenging environment and (2) thirst for change. Study participants described the poor working conditions in the hospital, but also recognised the importance of teamwork and communication in maintaining patient safety and had a strong appetite for change regarding the safety culture in the hospital. Conclusion This study highlights the complex relationship between working conditions and safety culture. Hospital staff were committed to providing the best possible care for their patients but struggled to provide safe care in a challenging work environment. A clear appetite for change was identified amongst HCPs regarding patient safety culture in Irish healthcare.