Determinants of Patient Safety Culture in Relation to their Outcomes for Hospital Quality Improvement

Abstract

Patient safety remains a critical concern in healthcare, particularly in developing countries, where millions of adverse events are reported annually. Globally, patient safety incidents are on the rise, with significant disparities in reporting and outcomes across regions, underscoring the urgent need for improved safety protocols, robust reporting systems, to enhance healthcare quality and reduce harm. This study aims to explore the determinants of patient safety culture—specifically structural empowerment, professionalism, and emotional exhaustion—and their influence on patient safety outcomes and incident reporting. Employing a cross-sectional method, quantitative data were collected from digital questionnaires given to 161 health workers. The data was analyzed using the SmartPLS 4.0.9.6. The findings reveal that both structural empowerment and professionalism have a significant positive impact on patient safety culture. However, emotional exhaustion does not substantially affect either incident reporting or patient safety outcomes. Notably, there is evidence that the emphasis on safeguarding patients has a significant mediating effect on structural empowerment and professionalism. These insights contribute to the understanding of how specific factors influence patient safety culture and highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance safety practices in healthcare settings.