Introduction
Surgical interventions, which is one of the most important experiences
of an individual’s life, are commonly used in the treatment of the
diseases and improvement of health. In the intra-operative period when
the surgical interventions are applied, by lying down operating table
for diagnosis and a qualified surgical intervention, patients generally
give full control and responsibility to authorized health workers so
that they can take actions on behalf of them.1,2
As it is known, presentation of health service has a quite complicated
structure. It is inevitable to think a process which involves more than
one profession serving the same goal not to be complicated. Today, more
than thirty occupation groups, from doctor to nurse and secretary to
security personnel, have to work together in harmony in order to provide
diagnosis, treatment, care, and other services. The most important
priority should be providing service without harming the patient.3,4
Institute of Medicine (IOM), which is known to be the most effective
institution that directs medical practices, defines patient safety as
“prevention of patients’ injury”. It is reported that such case could
be achieved with a care system which is based on safety culture
involving health care workers, institutions, and patients; which
prevents mistakes; and which learns from the mistakes happened.5 Half of the injurious cases happening in patients in
the industrialized countries are reported to be surgery-related, and 5%
are preventable. 6
The World Health Organization reports maintenance of safe surgery as
“operating the right person and the right area; using protective
methods for the hazards of anesthesia; being prepared for
life-threatening respiratory tract, functions, and excessive blood loss;
avoiding allergic or risky medicine; using methods that minimize the
surgical area infection risk; preventing leaving sponge or surgical
tools in the surgical area; defining surgical features accurately and
safely; taking the necessary precautions for preventing traumas;
enhancing effective communication techniques; and following surgical
interventions and practices under the supervision of hospitals”.7
Prevention of patients’ injury is the responsibility of all the surgical
team, and the precautions that should be taken should be for the
patient, surgical team, and operating room.8 Majority
of patient care and medical practices in the patient safety process are
carried out by nurses. As nurses are the health personnel group which
has most contact with patients, they have great importance in creating
the patient safety culture. 9,10
Kunaviktikul et al. (2015) reported a positive correlation between
extended working hours and patient outcomes such as patient
identification errors, pressure ulcers, communication errors and patient
complaints as well as nurse outcomes such as emotional exhaustion and
depersonalization. Additionally, study noted a negative correlation
between extended work hours and job satisfaction as a whole, intent to
stay and organizational productivity.11
American Institute of Medicine reports that formation of a patient
safety culture plays an important role in decreasing preventable
accidents and errors in health services. 12 Patient
safety culture to be formed in institutions will create an environment
where errors, processes, and system-related problems are discussed
openly and without any worries about being punished; make patient
safety-related practices successful and continuous; and thus
substantially improve the health outcomes related to the diagnosis and
treatment processes. 13-15
This study aims to find answers to the following questions:
What are the attitudes of health professionals having roles in
perioperative care towards patient safety?
What are the factors that affect health professionals’ attitudes
towards patient safety?