Field of Research: Mental Health
Name of author) (s): Rashed A. and Hamdan M.
Title of published work: “Physicians' and Nurses' Perceptions of and Attitudes Toward Incident Reporting in Palestinian Hospitals”
Name of Journal: Journal of Patient Safety
Year: 2015
Volume: 10/2015
Pages: Published online DOI:10.1097/PTS.0000000000000227
Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES:
Underreporting of incidents that happen in health care services undermines the ability of the systems to improve patient safety. This study assessed the attitudes of physicians and nurses toward incident reporting and the factors influencing reporting in Palestinian hospitals. It also examined clinicians' views about the preferred features of incident reporting system.
METHODS:
Cross-sectional self-administered survey of 475 participants, 152 physicians and 323 nurses, from 11 public hospitals in the West Bank; response rate, 81.3%.
RESULTS:
There was a low level of event reporting among participants in the past year (40.3%). Adjusted for sex and age, physicians were 2.1 times more likely to report incidents than nurses (95% confidence interval, 1.32-3.417; P = 0.002). Perceived main barriers for reporting were grouped under lack of proper structure for reporting, prevalence of blame, and punitive environment. The clinicians indicated fear of administrative sanctions, social and legal liability, and of their competence being questioned (P > 0.05). Getting help for patients, learning from mistakes, and ethical obligation were equally indicated motivators for reporting (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, clinicians prefer formal reporting (77.8%) of all type of errors (65.5%), disclosure of reporters (52.7%), using reports to improve patient safety (80.3%), and willingness to report to immediate supervisors (57.6%).
CONCLUSION:
Clinicians acknowledge the importance of reporting incidents; however, prevalence of punitive culture and inadequate reporting systems are key barriers. Improving feedback about reported errors, simplifying procedures, providing clear guidelines on what and who should report, and avoiding blame are essential to enhance reporting. Moreover, health care organizations should consider the opinions of the clinicians in developing reporting systems.
Keywords
Workplace violence Emergency departments Risk factors Causes Effects.
Contact author (s):
Name: Motasem Hamdan, PhD.
Address: Faculty of Public Health, Al-Quds University.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
