Multilayered approach to patient safety culture.
BACKGROUND
The concept of patient safety culture (PSC) has increasingly been used in the development of patient safety. However, no theoretical framework on the nature of the underlying phenomenon has been created. Multiple characterisations of the key dimensions of PSC exist, but they yield little theory on patient safety culture or its relation to patient safety. The authors propose a dynamic and multilayered construct of patient safety culture and illustrate the critical dimensions at each layer.


CONCLUSIONS
PSC can be defined as the willingness and ability of an organisation to understand safety as well as the willingness and ability to act on safety. Patient safety requires controlling and steering the organisation, and being mindful of the social processes and psychological phenomena.
Reiman
Teemu
T
VTT, PO Box 1000, FIN-02044 VTT, Finland. teemu.reiman@vtt.fi
Pietikäinen
Elina
E
Oedewald
Pia
P
D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D015279:Organizational Culture; D017751:Safety Management