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Factors affecting the climate of hospital patient safety: A study of hospitals in Saudi Arabia

Stephen L. Walston (Health Administration and Policy, University of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA)
Badran A. Al‐Omar (King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Faisal A. Al‐Mutari (Saudi Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance

ISSN: 0952-6862

Article publication date: 12 January 2010

3087

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe three organizational dimensions that influence hospital patient safety climate, also showing and discussing differences between organizational types.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys were conducted in four types of Saudi Arabian hospitals. Resultant information was analyzed using factor analysis and multiple‐regression.

Findings

Management support, a proper reporting system and adequate resources were found to influence the hospital patient safety climate.

Research limitations/implications

The cross‐sectional hospital survey took place in a country that is radically redesigning its healthcare system. Major changes including hospital privatisation and healthcare insurance systems may have significant effects on hospital organizational climates.

Originality/value

Improving a hospital's patient safety climate is critical for decreasing errors and providing optimal services. Although much patient safety research has been published, the organizational climate in non‐Western countries has not been studied. The paper provides a unique Saudi Arabian hospital perspective and suggests that three dimensions influence the patient safety climate. Hospital managers are encouraged to improve these critical dimensions to positively develop their patient safety climate.

Keywords

Citation

Walston, S.L., Al‐Omar, B.A. and Al‐Mutari, F.A. (2010), "Factors affecting the climate of hospital patient safety: A study of hospitals in Saudi Arabia", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 35-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526861011010668

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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