Journal de recherche et de développement en éducation à la santé

The Effect of Quality Accreditation Programs on Patient Safety Experiences in Nursing Services

Abstract

Atilla Yaprak

Introduction: Ministry of Health has initiated Quality Accreditation studies with Transformation Project in Health in 2003. These studies have gained extensive momentum especially in the last decade, and have composed Quality Accreditation Programs (Quality Standards in Healthcare, associated guidelines), which are applied in all healthcare institutions and institutes. The status of achievement in applying the criteria, laid down by Quality Standards in Healthcare, is significantly affected by physical locations of institutions and institutes, technical facilities, and knowledge levels and experiences of personnel. Purpose: This study has been conducted to assess the contributions of Quality Accreditation Programs to patient safety knowledge and practices in nursing services and to measure the effects of different variables on these practices. Methods: The study has been conducted with 175 nurses in different age groups, at different educational levels, and working in hospital clinics, and having different durations of work experience. Data has been obtained by a questionnaire of 12 questions (two questions have sub-questions). Descriptive statistical methods have been used in data analysis, and Chi square test has been used in required sub-group analysis. Findings: The half of the participants was in the age group of 25-34 years. 98.9% of nurses stated that they received patient safety training. 90.9% of participants thought that these trainings were sufficient. The ratio of the ones, indicating that they needed training on this subject, was 22.3%. The ratio of the participants, reporting on patient safety, was detected as 78.3%. The ratio of nurses, reporting on this subject, was found significantly high in the age group of 25-34 years (p=0.012). The rate of receiving training was low in nurses with work experience of less than one year (p=0.038). The rate of reporting on patient safety was significantly low in participants with work experience of less than one year and with work experience of more than 10 years (p=0.049). Conclusion: Although the rate of receiving training on patient safety is high, the rate of participants, practically reporting on this subject, is low. This has led to the thought that training is not always fully effective in attitude change. We think that the implementation of short-term reminder trainings may be useful.