Safety culture among pediatric surgeons: A national survey of attitudes and perceptions of patient safety

Abstract

Purpose: Improving the culture of safety within health care is an essential component of preventing errors and improving overall health care quality. The purpose of this study was to characterize the attitudes and perceptions of patient safety among pediatric surgeons.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of American Pediatric Surgery Association members. Survey items assessed surgeons' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of patient safety. We performed descriptive statistics and evaluated associations between respondent characteristics and survey responses.

Results: Response rate was 38% (353/928). Surgeons in academic practice (96% vs 83% private, P=0.01) and in leadership positions (98% vs 92%, P=0.03) were more likely to feel actively engaged in patient safety initiatives. Surgeons in private practice were less likely to feel safe having their own children undergo surgery at their institution (80% vs 96% academic, P<0.005).

Conclusion: Pediatric surgeons have disparate attitudes and perceptions of patient safety within their hospitals. Significant variation exists based on surgeon characteristics. These findings underscore the need to identify barriers to surgeon engagement and develop educational initiatives to empower surgeons as leaders in improving patient safety culture.

Level of evidence: V.

Keywords: Patient safety; Pediatric surgery; Safety culture; Safety education.