Health Care Professionals' Knowledge Regarding Patient Safety

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Medical Education
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Assessing healthcare professionals' understanding of patient safety is crucial for improving healthcare quality.
• Previous studies indicate variable levels of patient safety knowledge among healthcare staff globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the knowledge level of healthcare professionals regarding patient safety in Western Lithuania.
• To identify associations between healthcare professionals' background factors and their patient safety knowledge.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative study was conducted using questionnaires.
• Data were collected from physicians, nurses, and nurse assistants in three multi-disciplinary hospitals.
• The study was conducted in 2014 in Western Lithuania.

Main Results:

• Overall patient safety knowledge among healthcare professionals was found to be low.
• Knowledge regarding general patient safety was particularly deficient.
• Profession, education, patient safety training, and specialty experience were associated with certain knowledge areas.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare professionals in Western Lithuania exhibit a generally low level of patient safety knowledge.
• Further research is needed to explore specific patient safety issues, including medication, infection, falls, and pressure sore prevention.
• Targeted educational interventions may be necessary to enhance patient safety knowledge in the region.