Improving patient care is important to hospitals. One way to do this is to ask staff about their perceptions and experiences of the patient safety culture. This information is used alongside other measures, including patient experience, to identify what is working well and what can be improved.

Defining patient safety culture 

This section steps through the process of analysis and reporting survey data on patient safety culture.

At this stage you have decided to undertake an improvement project using a survey of patient safety culture, engaged champions and developed a clear project plan. Stage 2 steps you through preparing for and running the survey.

This section will guide you through the steps to plan your project. The outcome of these decisions can be documented in the project plan template.

Approaches to measurement

Why measure patient safety culture

Leadership is key

Commitment to patient safety culture by leadership and management is crucial. While events leading to patient harm happen at the operational level, organisational factors play a vital role and are greatly influenced by management and leadership.