Workplace Survey Study
This study examined the safety climate and safety culture of four maternity units in Ireland, as well as the resilience of the clinical staff working in the units.
Safety climate and culture are of particular interest to researchers as safety behaviours of staff, as well as staff wellbeing, are strongly associated with patient safety outcomes.
Safety culture refers to an organisations’ values, beliefs and behaviours regarding patient and employee safety. Safety climate can be defined as safety attitudes and safety behaviours that are carried out within the organisation.
All staff in the four participating maternity units were invited to complete the study’s questionnaire. The questionnaire analysed staff perceptions of safety and wellbeing at work on several subscales, among other safety commitment, safety priority, and resilience in the workplace measures.This study was carried out with the support and collaboration of the Ireland South Women & Infants Directorate.
Findings indicate a positive safety climate and culture in the four maternity units. Job satisfaction and teamwork climate were higher than average, showing a strong culture of working collaboration between professionals. However, elevated stress recognition scores indicate the presence of stress and fatigue amongst maternity staff.
Additionally, further work is required to enhance safety priority at work. There is also scope to improve staff wellbeing, training and working conditions to reduce stress, improve communication and enhance staff resilience. Tailored and targeted initiatives are being planned to address these issues.
The infographic below highlights some of the main findings from this study. Further results will be published soon.