Healthcare Worker’s Satisfaction Assessment for a Healthcare Adverse Event Reporting Framework and the Management Approach for Such Reporting in the Emergency Department of Rural Government Hospitals

TL;DR

This study assesses healthcare workers' satisfaction with a system for reporting adverse events in rural hospital emergency departments.

Contribution

The study provides insights into healthcare workers' satisfaction with adverse event reporting frameworks in rural emergency departments.

Findings

Half of the healthcare professionals were dissatisfied with the adverse event reporting framework.

Significant differences in satisfaction were observed between different professional groups.

Non-parametric tests showed notable differences in responses to the reporting framework and management approach.

Abstract

Background: The healthcare adverse event (HAE) reporting framework is more than just a tool. It is a crucial pillar in our pursuit of patient safety, quality improvement, trust maintenance, regulatory compliance, and ethical standards in healthcare delivery.

Aim: To assess healthcare workers' satisfaction with the HAE reporting framework and the management approach towards such reporting in the emergency department of rural government hospitals by conducting a satisfaction survey.

Materials and method: This prospective observational research was conducted in the Department of Emergency Medicine of the Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, and adjoining district hospitals from November 2023 to January 2024. The study involved 320 healthcare professionals working in the emergency department. The quantitative survey research used a questionnaire and a quality Likert scale response. The data were analyzed on an ordinal measurement scale using nonparametric statistical methods. The sample data were analyzed using frequency tables, percentage pie charts, and comparison bar graphs. In nonparametric statistical tests, the one-sample Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to infer the population's central tendency, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to make inferences about the population categories.

Results: The satisfaction of healthcare professionals with the HAE reporting framework and the management approach was diverse. When surveyed about the HAE reporting framework in the emergency department, out of the 320 healthcare professionals, 50% (161) expressed dissatisfaction, 47% (149) were satisfied, and 3% (10) did not comment. Paramedics were most dissatisfied (61% of 133). When asked about the management approach while dealing with such reporting, 50% (159) were satisfied, 46% (147) were unsatisfied, and 4% (14) did not comment. On comparing professions, 43% (29) of 33 doctors and 62% (83) of 133 paramedics were unsatisfied, giving a poor response. Additionally, 61% (72) of the 119 nursing staff were satisfied. The non-parametric inferential tests yielded a p-value of less than 0.001 for both questions, indicating a notable difference in the population's response to the HAE reporting framework and management approach. On pairwise comparison, there was a significant difference in perception (p<0.001) between the occupation groups, except for doctors and paramedics (p = 0.638) in the HAE reporting framework.

Conclusion: By encouraging reporting, standardizing processes, analyzing incidents thoroughly, and using data-driven insights to inform improvement efforts, healthcare organizations can enhance patient safety, improve quality of care, and prevent future adverse events. The management approach to HAE reporting involves fostering a culture of safety and transparency, implementing standardized reporting systems, providing education and training to healthcare staff, establishing feedback mechanisms, conducting robust analysis of reported events, promoting continuous improvement, and ensuring transparency and accountability.

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