The effects of perceived organizational support on attitudes toward medical errors in surgical nurses: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

AbstractAimThis study aims to determine the effects of perceived organizational support on attitudes toward medical errors in surgical nurses.BackgroundNurses exhibit high performance in a work environment that supports, satisfies, and motivates them. Organizational support is one of the factors affecting the work environments of nurses. A strong nursing and hospital leadership supports the daily professional practices and well‐being of nurses and is important in creating a positive work environment for nurses.Materials and methodsThe population of this cross‐sectional study was composed of nurses (N = 414) in the surgical clinics of the Turgut Özal Medical Center. To reach the necessary sample size, the purposive sampling method, which is a nonprobability sampling method, was used. The data were collected using a personal information form, the Perceived Organizational Support Scale and the Scale of Attitudes toward Medical Errors.ResultsIt was determined that 91.1% of the participants had positive attitudes toward the importance and reporting of medical errors and moderate perceived organizational support (3.04 ± 0.67). The organizational support perceived by the participants did not have a statistically significant effect on their attitudes toward medical errors (β = 0.015; p = 0.865). The multiple linear regression model established in the study revealed that education level and previous medical error status were significant predictors of the attitudes of the participants toward medical errors.ConclusionIt was determined that surgical nurses had positive attitudes toward the importance and reporting of medical errors and moderate perceived organizational support levels, and perceived organizational support did not significantly affect attitudes toward medical errors in surgical nurses.Implications for nursing practice and health policyIn this study, it was determined that the perceived organizational support levels of surgical nurses did not have a significant effect on their attitudes toward medical errors. Assuming that adequate organizational support will reduce medical error rates, it is considered important to develop and implement policies to increase organizational support levels. Likewise, the use of safety reporting systems should be expanded to reduce medical error rates, reports should be used only to prevent and reduce risks, and systems and strategies should be developed instead of blaming individuals. In addition to the reporting of confirmed medical errors to ensure patient safety, the reporting of so‐called “near misses” is also very important. For this reason, institutional support should be provided regarding the importance of “near miss” events in error reporting. Necessary practices should be provided to identify, report, correct, and prevent these events.