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Abstract
Aims/Objectives/Background According to safety theory, frontline staff are often best informed to identify problems that threaten safety in their workplace. Surveying emergency department (ED) staff is a straightforward method to assess safety culture including investigating risks, identifying solutions and evaluating interventions. This study‘s aim was to validate an ED safety questionnaire specifically for use in the UK and provide an overview of safety culture and risks. Differences between doctors and nurses’ perception of safety were also analysed.
Methods/Design According to safety theory, frontline staff are often best informed to identify problems that threaten safety in their workplace. Surveying emergency department (ED) staff is a straightforward method for investigating risks, identifying solutions and evaluating interventions. Safety culture has been the focus of a succession of high-profile reports, including the Francis Report. This study‘s aim was to validate an ED safety questionnaire specifically for use in the UK and provide an overview of safety culture and risks. Differences between doctors and nurses’ perception of safety were also analysed.
Using groupings similar to the US safety questionnaire, Cronbach’s Alpha was calculated across five categories as an estimate of reliability. Simple descriptive statistics were used to identify risks or good practice. Chi Square test compared individual sites’ results with national results to highlight outlier questions (i.e. the department’s strengths and weaknesses). Chi Square was also used to identify significant differences between responses from nurses and doctors.
Results/Conclusions 1060 participants were recruited across 18 sites (see attachments). Analysis highlighted risks posed by interruptions, negative effects of targets, deficient mental health care (especially compared to critical care) and ED crowding. Identifying outlier sites provided opportunities to learn from excellence. Comparing doctors and nurses’ responses highlights additional support is needed for nursing staff. This study provides the first step towards assessing ED safety culture and describing risks in the UK.