Factors Predicting Patient Safety Competence of Professional Nurse in Community Hospitals, Chon Buri Province.

Abstract

           This predictive research aimed to examine patient safety competence of professional nurses and factors predicting patient safety competence of professional nurses in community hospitals, Chon Buri province. The sample consisted of 92 professional nurses in community hospitals, Chon Buri province. They were selected to participate in the study by using multistage sampling technique. Questionnaires were used to collect data including questionnaire of 1) personal information, 2) patient safety competence of professional nurses, 3) organizational climate, and 4) perceived empowerment. The content validity of questionnaires was reviewed by 5 experts. The reliability of questionnaires section 2, 3, 4 were 0.96, 0.96, and 0.95, respectively. Percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s product-moment correlation and multiple regressions were used to analyze data.

            The research findings showed that patient safety competence of professional nurses in overall was at a high level (  = 3.98, SD = 0.48). Considering in each dimension, they also exported the high level of patient safety competence in all dimensions including contribute to 1) a culture of patient safety, 2) work in teams for patient safety, 3) respond to and disclose adverse events, 4) communicate effectively for patient safety, 5) optimize human and environmental factors and recognize, 6) manage safety risks (  = 4.10, SD = 0.46;  = 4.03, SD = 0.48;  = 3.96; SD = 0.49;  = 3.93; SD = 0.51;  = 3.93; SD = 0.55;  = 3.88, SD = 0.56), respectively. Moreover, it was found that organizational climate and perceived empowerment together can significantly predict 45.7% (R² = .457) of variance in patient safety competence of professional nurse (F_(2,89) = 37.414, p < .001). However, only organizational climate was the independently predictor of patient safety competence of professional nurses (Beta = .83, p < .001).

            The result of this study indicated that organizational climate is a factor influencing patient safety competence of professional nurses. Therefore, nursing administrators should promote and support the organizational climate, to promote patient safety competence of professional nurses.