A study confirms a positive link between the evaluation of the work environment and the quality of care provided to patients.
The study highlighted the impact of the work environment of the nurses in hospitals and its effect on the quality of patient care in the Sultanate of Oman's healthcare system.
Dr Sulaiman al Sabai, from the College of Nursing at Sultan Qaboos University, conducted this study to investigate the relationship between the work environment, patients' health and safety, and hospital quality of care. The study covered 12 government and six private hospitals in various regions and governorates, involving 2,403 male and female nurses and 1,800 patients.
The results revealed that 97.9 per cent, or about 2,034 nurses, evaluated their work environment as a perfect environment for work. There is a positive, direct relationship between the evaluation of the work environment and the quality of care provided to patients. An appropriate work environment contributes to delivering high-quality care.
The results also showed an inverse relationship between the work environment and harm threatening patient safety. Whenever the work environment is appropriate and is characterised by the presence of a proper number of nurses in each department, the presence of support from management, and the presence of a precise mechanism for professional development for employees, this is associated with a decrease in cases of medical or medication errors, a reduction of the number of patients' falls, and the spread of viral and bacterial infections.
The study recommended increasing the number of nursing staff in health institutions at governmental and private levels and establishing a clear mechanism concerned with employees' professional development. In addition to creating a system that contains accurate indicators to evaluate the quality of care provided to patients and the extent of their safety during their stay in the hospital, stressing the importance of comparing quality indicators and patients' health as their safety is consistent with global indicators.
Developing a healthy and supportive work environment is crucial for ensuring patient safety. Nurse administrators should strive to improve the work environment by creating a culture that values inter-professional teamwork and collaborative relationships.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
