A Benchmarking Study on the Patient Safety Culture of Hospitals in India

Several hospitals in India face challenges in establishing a strong patient safety culture, which is crucial for quality health care. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and benchmark the patient safety cultures across various Indian hospitals.

This cross-sectional survey was conducted between September 2022 and January 2023, targeting 404 hospitals under the Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations. Requests for participation were sent to the quality managers of the hospitals through e-mail and Google links, and 81 hospitals agreed to participate. Among them, 78 (96.2%) conducted regular patient safety culture surveys; however, the frequency of the surveys and tools used varied among hospitals.

An analysis of the data on patient safety culture obtained using the questionnaire showed that 62 (79%) hospitals used the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality tool. Analysis of the composite positive response score of safety culture dimensions highlighted strengths in organizational learning and teamwork (86.0%±13.0%), but weaknesses in staffing and work conditions (67.0%±23.0%).

This study highlights the current patient safety culture in Indian hospitals and identifies its strengths and gaps. These findings serve as a basis for benchmarking and targeted improvements, particularly in staffing and communication, to enhance the overall patient safety.