Safety leadership influence on patient safety and the mediating role of unit safety climate

Leader expectations and actions promoting patient safety are expected to influence the patient safety levels in hospitals. In this study, safety climate was expected to mediate the relationship between safety leadership and perceived patient safety levels. The aim of this study was to investigate these relationships using structural equation modelling (SEM). The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) was distributed to employees at a hospital. A total of 1919 hospital workers answered the survey, resulting in a response rate of 55 percent. Furthermore, 89 percent of the sample had direct patient contact. The data were analysed using SPSS and AMOS. Confirmatory factor analyses showed acceptable fit for measurements concepts. The results illustrated the importance for leaders to influence both Staffing and Organizational learning, as findings suggest these safety climate variables have positive effects on patient safety. The findings suggest that safety leadership plays a vital role in improving patient safety via safety climate at the unit level. The results highlight the necessity for leaders to engage in actions with their subordinates and to promote patient safety at team levels.