Relationship between Patient Safety Culture and Job Stress among Staff Nurses

Background: Patient safety is a key element of the quality of health services. Nurses are the largest group that care for patients, observing safety in nursing care would reduce injuries, disability, morbidity and mortality. However, high stress can lead to a decline in the quality of nursing care. Aim: The current study aimed to assess the relationship between patient safety culture and job stress among staff nurses. Subjects and Method: The subject of this study included (114) pediatric staff nurses. they were selected randomly. Research design: Cross –sectional analytical design was used to conduct this study. Setting: This study was conducted at all inpatient departments in Abou EL Reesh children’s Hospital which is affiliated to Cairo University Hospitals. Tools: Data was collected by using two tools namely: Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture Questionnaire and Expanded Nursing Stress Scale. Results: Only (8.8%) the staff nurses had high awareness regarding total patient safety culture. While the majority (91.2%) of them had low awareness regarding total patient safety culture. Almost all (98.2%) of the staff nurses had high job stress level, while only (1.8%) the staff nurses had low job stress level. Conclusion: There was significant statistical negative correlation between staff nurses awareness about patient safety culture and their job stress. Recommendations: Integrate patient safety culture as a part of the orientation and development program for nurses. Hospital top management, policy and decision makers should pay attention to tracking organizational factors causing stress. Keeping regular staff meeting allow staff nurses to express their feeling openly and get feedback and support.