The Role of a Safety Culture in Preventing Medical Errors

Document Type : Editorial

Author

Professor of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22038/psj.2025.89171.1474

Abstract

Despite advancements in medical science and healthcare systems, preventable medical errors continue to cause significant harm globally. A growing body of evidence suggests that a strong organizational safety culture is essential to reducing such errors. This article discusses the defining features of safety culture, its impact on patient outcomes, and strategies to foster it within healthcare institutions. The authors argue that culture is not an add-on but a foundation for safe care.

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References

  1. Singer, S. J., Gaba, D. M., Geppert, J. J., Sinaiko, A. D., Howard, S. K., & Park, K. C. (2009). The culture of safety: results of an organization-wide survey in 15 California hospitals. Quality and Safety in Health Care, 18(5), 442–446.
  2. Weaver, S. J., Lubomksi, L. H., Wilson, R. F., Pfoh, E. R., Martinez, K. A., & Dy, S. M. (2013). Promoting a culture of safety as a patient safety strategy: a systematic review. Annals of Internal Medicine, 158(5_Part_2), 369–374.
  3. Sammer, C. E., Lykens, K., Singh, K. P., Mains, D. A., & Lackan, N. A. (2010). What is patient safety culture? A review of the literature. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 42(2), 156–165.
Journal of Patient Safety & Quality Improvement
Volume 13, Issue 2
April 2025
Pages 87-88

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