Patient Safety Climate: Variation in Perceptions by Infection Preventionists and Quality Directors
Table 2
Patient safety climates by personnel type.
Variable
IP-mean
IP-Std. Dev
QD-mean
QD-Std. Dev
Difference in mean scores
P-value
Senior Management Engagement (SME)
Senior management supports a climate that promotes patient safety.
4.5
0.8
4.3
0.6
0.2
<0.01
Senior management has a clear picture of the risks associated with patient care.
4.3
1.0
4.1
0.7
0.2
0.05
Senior management has a good idea of the kinds of mistakes that actually occur in this hospital.
4.4
0.9
4.2
0.8
0.2
<0.01
Senior management considers patient safety when program changes are discussed.
4.3
0.9
4.0
0.8
0.3
<0.01
Good communication flow exists up and down the chain of command regarding patient safety issues.
3.9
1.1
3.8
0.8
0.1
0.15
Leadership on Patient Safety (LOPS)
The senior executives clearly articulate the hospital’s values relevant to patient safety and healthcare-associated infections.
4.0
1.1
4.2
0.8
0.2
0.03
The behavior of the senior executives is consistent with values relevant to patient safety and healthcare-associated infections.
3.9
1.1
4.2
0.7
0.3
0.01
The senior executives have demonstrated an ability to manage the changes (e.g., organizational, technological) needed to improve patient safety and reduce healthcare-associated infections.
3.7
1.2
3.9
0.7
0.2
0.02
The senior executives act on suggestions to improve patient safety and reduce healthcare-associated infections.
4.0
1.0
4.0
0.7
0
0.95
The hospital’s senior executives generate confidence that efforts to improve patient safety and reduce healthcare-associated infections will succeed.
