Background.

Patient safety is a challenge for health care. The aim of this study is to identify the dimensions with the greatest impact on patient safety culture of healthcare staff in a medium-stay hospital; to assess its evolution over time and to check the sensitivity of monitoring indicators.

Methods.

Two cross-sectional studies (2013 to 2015) were conducted. The safety culture assessment tool used was the Spanish version of the “Hospital Survey on Patient Safety” (AHRQ). Outcome variable is high perception of safety (score ≥ 75th percentile). Independent variables: socio-demographic characteristics and perceptions of the evaluated dimensions. The association between variables was quantified by Odds Ratio.

Results.

The mean of perceived safety was similar in both studies: (7.81 and 7.48, N2013= 66; N2015=92). The best aspects evaluated were: “Supervisor actions” and “Teamwork within unit”; the worst evaluated were: “Staffing”, “Management support” and “Teamwork across units”. Socio-demographic variables had little significance, while a positive perception in some of the considered dimensions was associated with high perceived safety. The most strongly associated aspects were: “Supervisor actions”, “Communication openness” and “Problems in transitions”. In the comparative study, indicators based on individual dimensions detected changes better than the assessment of the degree of perceived safety.

Conclusion.

The regular assessment of Patient Safety Culture makes it possible to know the status and evolution of professionals’ perceptions. The choice of appropriate indicators optimises the information obtained through these surveys.