Quality management in hospitals: required criteria for the eqivalent level of safety

Abstract

Introduction: The system of quality and safety is a system of responsibility and it is the main prerequisite for obtaining, offering and implementing health services. The first step towards quality and safety is the formation of a safety culture for patients throughout the entire health system. The objective of the research is to analyze criteria, assessed by employees according to the significance, in order to achieve the equivalent level of safety of patients in hospitals. Methods: Quantitative research included 17.6 % (n = 256) of health care employees in a larger Slovenian health institute. A survey questionnaire of 112 closed-ended questions was used as the research instrument, rank variables collected and ranked by a Likert scale. Reliability was confirmed with an internal consistency of the questionnaire with the Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.717 to 0.839. Obtained data were processed and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, regression and correlation analysis. Statistically significant value was p < 0.05. Results: The results show that among health care personnel, the highest ranking criteria for achieving equivalent level of safety are human resources (x = 27.09), new working methods (x = 21.34), work results (x = 27.39) and efficiency (x = 24.92). Education has a statistically significant effect on achieving the equivalent level of safety. Discussion and conclusion: The research indicates that respondents assess the work results as the most important criterion for achieving the equivalent level of safety and new working methods as the least important criterion. Patient safety helps to increase the quality of life. The greatest impact on improving the safety of patients is management framework for achieving the criteria for patient safety.