A cross-sectional survey of patient safety culture in an emergency medicine division.

Background: In the emergency department (ED) a positive patient safety culture exhibits characteristics that include a shared understanding of the importance of safety, constructive communication, mutual trust and the ability to recognise and learn from adverse events.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of multidisciplinary staff from a major metropolitan emergency medicine and access (EMA) division was undertaken. The Australian Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (Version 2.0) was distributed to all staff employed in the EMA Division; three emergency departments (ED), and six general medicine and specialty medicine inpatient wards.

Results: There were 333 (29.3%) responses, and 61 surveys were excluded due to missing data for a final response rate of 24% (n = 272). The number of responses from staff in ED (n = 148, 54%) and in-patient wards (n = 124, 46%) was similar. The 'teamwork', 'communication openness' and 'supervisor/manager support for patient safety' subscales were highly scored. The lowest percentage positive scores were reported for items within the 'hospital management support for patient safety', 'handovers' and 'response to error' subscales.

Conclusion: Teamwork and supervisor/manager support for patient safety were highly valued in this cohort. There is scope for improvement in how hospital level management supports patient safety culture.