Affiliations: Regional STD Teaching Training and Research Centre, Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi, India | Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi, India
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. Sumathi Muralidhar, Senior Microbiologist, Room # 553, 5th Floor, Regional STD Teaching, Training and Research Centre, VMMC and Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi-110029, India. Tel.: +91 26707584; Mobile: 9810478467; E-mail: sumu3579@yahoo.com
Abstract: Background and objectives: Patient safety is a discipline that emphasizes the reporting, analysis and prevention of medical errors leading to adverse events. Many patients are harmed from health care, resulting in permanent injury, increased hospital stay or even death. This study attempts to gain knowledge on the practices and attitude existing for patient safety and indicate knowledge gaps, to help improve the situation. Methods: The study was carried out using an anonymous, self reporting questionnaire structured to analyse the scenario of patient safety in the hospital and the attitude of 100 Healthcare workers towards safety. Results: Of the subjects included in the study, only 55% knew of the existence of an infection control policy in the institution. A large majority of respondents (94%) believed that reporting of errors will help in reducing their incidence. Top reasons for adverse events were high workload (82%) and incomplete information from patients (71%). Interpretation and conclusions: Patient safety is still in its infant stages in India, despite the emphasis by WHO. The problem areas, including high work load, lack of communication by supervisory staff and recording of ‘near-miss’ and adverse events with feedback, if addressed, would minimise harm to patients and cut costs.
Keywords: Patient safety, adverse events, hand hygiene, health care workers, infection control, near-miss events, patient feedback
