Abstract/Details

Nurse executives' perceptions of barriers and facilitators of patient safety in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) healthcare organizations

Rifai, Fatima Yousif.   McMaster University (Canada) ProQuest Dissertations Publishing,  2008. NR57810.

Abstract (summary)

Patient safety has captured the attention of stakeholders due to an increase in reported healthcare errors and adverse events. Evidence in the literature emphasized leadership roles in promoting and advocating patient safety. The literature also associated patient safety with nursing care outcomes, which are influenced by several organizational characteristics. Nurse leaders play a major role in supporting and initiating changes that can enhance the capability of nurses to provide safe care. However, their decisions and actions are shaped by their perceptions. The aim of this exploratory study was to understand nurse executives' perceptions of facilitators and barriers of patient safety in healthcare organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Q-methodology was used because it combines qualitative and quantitative techniques to investigate subjective phenomena such as perception. Fifty-three nurse executives from government hospitals participated in the study. They sorted 50 Q-sample statements derived from a universe of statements submitted by a subgroup of the nurse executives. The Institute of Medicine (IOM, 2004) work production components and corresponding patient safety defenses framework: was used to ensure comprehensiveness of the Q-sample statements and to reflect on the findings.

Four distinct viewpoints related to facilitators and barriers of patient safety emerged: the role of leadership in supporting positive work environment, patient safety culture, enhancing nurses' capabilities, and proper work processes. The findings also suggested a possible association between perceptions and cultural backgrounds. Further investigations and studies are required to confirm this finding because of its relevance to the current global work environment.

The main implication is the need to involve nursing executives in planning for patient safety and incorporating the four areas identified in their viewpoints. Another implication is the need to better understand cultural diversity and capitalize on its positive contributions. Proposed future research comprises investigation of key stakeholders' perceptions of patient safety, including patients, their families, nurses, and other healthcare providers and leaders.

Indexing (details)


Subject
Nursing;
Health care management
Classification
0569: Nursing
0769: Health care management
Identifier / keyword
Health and environmental sciences; Health care organizations; Patient safety
Title
Nurse executives' perceptions of barriers and facilitators of patient safety in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) healthcare organizations
Author
Rifai, Fatima Yousif
Number of pages
199
Degree date
2008
School code
0197
Source
DAI-B 71/05, Dissertation Abstracts International
Place of publication
Ann Arbor
Country of publication
United States
ISBN
978-0-494-57810-0
University/institution
McMaster University (Canada)
University location
Canada -- Ontario, CA
Degree
Ph.D.
Source type
Dissertation or Thesis
Language
English
Document type
Dissertation/Thesis
Dissertation/thesis number
NR57810
ProQuest document ID
304458008
Copyright
Database copyright ProQuest LLC; ProQuest does not claim copyright in the individual underlying works.
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/docview/304458008