Association between safety culture and surgical outcomes

Editor's Note

In this study, implementing a global change in safety culture resulted in a significant change in surgical patient outcomes as measured by the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP).

After implementation of initiatives targeting communication and patient safety, surgical outcomes and culture scores statistically improved. A difference in mean culture scores was seen from 2013 to 2015 (p<0.001=.031), while NSQIP odds ratios in the “exemplary” category increased.

Performance initiatives are not enough to change outcomes, unless there is a foundation of a culture towards patient safety among all perioperative staff, the authors say.

A focus on the culture of safety and patient outcomes continues to grow in importance.
Several initiatives targeted at individual deficits have been described but few institutions
have shown the effect of a global change in culture on patient outcomes.

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