Perspectives in Nursing Science
- Volume 10 Issue 2
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- Pages.158-166
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- 2013
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- 2288-2898(pISSN)
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- 2288-7687(eISSN)
Current Status of Patient Safety Regulations, Guidelines and Support Mechanisms in Korean Hospitals
- Lee, Jae Ho (Department of Emergency Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
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Kim, Jeong Eun
(College of Nursing.Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University) ;
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Kim, Suk Wha
(Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University) ;
- Lee, Sang Il (Department of Preventive Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
- Jung, Yoen Yi (Department of Customer Satisfaction Samsung Medical Center, Graduate School of Clinical Science Sungkyunkwan University) ;
- Kim, Moon Sook (Quality & Safety Center, Seoul National University Hospital) ;
- Jang, Seon Mi (Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University)
- Received : 2013.10.01
- Accepted : 2013.10.10
- Published : 2013.10.31
Abstract
Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate patient safety regulations and guidelines in order to understand their current status, and to examine support measures to improve patient safety in Korean hospitals. Methods: The participants were the safety officers from hospitals with 200 or more beds and 112 hospitals responded to the online survey. The questions covered patient safety regulations, the performance level of patient safety activities, patient safety incident reporting systems, the dedicated professional, training, support mechanisms, and expectations of reporting systems. Results: Among preventative measures, fall prevention and hand hygiene were reported to be most widely practiced (92% and 91%, respectively). Time-out for invasive procedures showed a relatively low practice rate at 70%. Among patient care activities, transfusion, surgery and sedation, medication, and infection management were performed by 84, 74, 93 and 93% of the hospitals, respectively. Patient safety activities included patient safety committee, patient safety cooperation between decision-making bodies, patient safety workshops, seminars, lectures, and training for employees. Conclusion: Patient safety regulations and guidelines have not yet been sufficiently prepared, and a public institution such as a certification authority is of crucial importance to enforce these guidelines.