Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Original Research
Analysis of Patient Safety Incident reporting system as an indicator of quality nursing in critical care units in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Submitted: 02 November 2018 | Published: 31 March 2020
About the author(s)
Thusile M. Gqaleni, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaBusisiwe R. Bhengu, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Patient Safety Incidents occur frequently in critical care units, contribute to patient harm, compromise quality of patient care and increase healthcare costs. It is essential that Patient Safety Incidents in critical care units are continually measured to plan for quality improvement interventions.
Aim: To analyse Patient Safety Incident reporting system, including the evidence of types, frequencies, and patient outcomes of reported incidents in critical care units.
Setting: The study was conducted in the critical care units of ten hospitals of eThekwini district, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Methods: A quantitative approach using a descriptive cross sectional survey was adopted to collect data from the registered nurses working in critical care units of randomly selected hospitals. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 270 registered nurses of which 224 (83%) returned completed questionnaires. A descriptive statistical analysis was initially conducted, then the Pearson Chi-square test was performed between the participating hospitals.
Findings: One thousand and seventeen (n = 1017) incidents in ten hospitals were self-reported. Of these incidents, 18% (n = 70) were insignificant, 35% (n = 90) minor, 25% (n = 75) moderate, 12% (n = 32) major and 10% (n = 26) catastrophic. Patient Safety Incidents were classified into six categories: (a) Hospital-related incidents (42% [n = 416]); (b) Patient care-related incidents (30% [n = 310]); (c) (Death 12% [n = 124]); (d) Medication-related incidents, (7% [n = 75]); (e) Blood product-related incidents (5% [n = 51]) and (f) Procedure-related incidents (4% [n = 41]).
Conclusion: This study’s findings indicating 1017 Patient Safety Incidents of predominantly serious nature, (47% considering moderate, major and catastrophic) are a cause for concern.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 5742Total article views: 8198
Crossref Citations
1. A Qualitative Study on Nurses’ Experiences of Reporting Patient Safety Incidents in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Petrus Kanisius Siga Tage, Appolonaris T Berkanis, Yasinta Betan, Elisabet Batseba Pinis
Nurse Media Journal of Nursing vol: 11 issue: 3 first page: 359 year: 2021
doi: 10.14710/nmjn.v11i3.38400
2. Nurse perceptions of practice environment, quality of care and patient safety across four hospital levels within the public health sector of South Africa
Immaculate Sabelile Tenza, Alwiena J. Blignaut, Suria M. Ellis, Siedine K. Coetzee
BMC Nursing vol: 23 issue: 1 year: 2024
doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-01992-z
3. Assessing patients’ experience of care in four referral hospitals: a cross-sectional survey of outpatients in two South African rural provinces
Wezile W. Chitha, Onke R. Mnyaka, Akhona Ncinitwa, Olona Giwu, Teboho Mashao, Kuhle Mabophe, Sibusiso C. Nomatshila, Itumeleng Funani, Vivien Essel, Xolelwa Ntlongweni, Kedibone Maake, Nomfuneko Sithole, Ntiyiso Khosa, Maphoko Masemola, Ziyanda Ngcobo, Murendeni Mulamu, Bongiwe Mkabela, Siyabonga Sibulawa, Buyiswa Swartbooi, Godfrey Mokobane, Sikhumbuzo A. Mabunda
BMC Health Services Research vol: 24 issue: 1 year: 2024
doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-12002-y
4. Patient Safety Incident Reporting and Learning Guidelines Implemented by Health Care Professionals in Specialized Care Units: Scoping Review
Tusiwe Mabel Gqaleni, Sipho Wellington Mkhize, Geldine Chironda
Journal of Medical Internet Research vol: 26 first page: e48580 year: 2024
doi: 10.2196/48580
5. The combined application of Mini-CEX and Check-list Scales in enhancing clinical competence among emergency and critical care residents: a comparative study
Xiao-guang Cao, Jia-xin Hu, Huang-chong Jian, Xiong-feng Zhu, Huadong Meng, Min Shao
Frontiers in Medicine vol: 12 year: 2025
doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1492206
6. Patient safety incident reporting behavior and its associated factors among healthcare professionals in Hadiya zone, Ethiopia: A facility based cross-sectional study
Amina Shemsu, Abebe Dechasa, Mulatu Ayana, Meseret Robi Tura
International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances vol: 6 first page: 100209 year: 2024
doi: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2024.100209
7. Medical Error Reporting among healthcare workers in a Kenyan tertiary level hospital: a knowledge, attitude, and practice study
Lydia Okutoyi, Pamela Godia, Mary Adam, Fred Sitati, Walter Jaoko
BMC Health Services Research year: 2025
doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-13886-0
8. Patient safety attitude among healthcare workers at different levels of healthcare in Sharqia Governorate, Egypt
Yasmin H.H. Hussein, Seham M. Eldeeb, Raghda A. Elshamy, Rasha M.B. Eldin
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine vol: 14 issue: 1 year: 2022
doi: 10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3307
9. A retrospective analysis of adverse events reported by Tunisian intensive care units’ professionals
Mohamed Ayoub Tlili, Wiem Aouicha, Nikoloz Gambashidze, Asma Ben Cheikh, Jihene Sahli, Matthias Weigl, Ali Mtiraoui, Souad Chelbi, Houyem Said Laatiri, Manel Mallouli
BMC Health Services Research vol: 24 issue: 1 year: 2024
doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-10544-9
10. Factors influencing patient safety incident reporting in African healthcare organisations: a systematic integrative review
Gelana Fekadu, Georgia Tobiano, Rachel Muir, Melaku Tadege Engidaw, Andrea P. Marshall
BMC Health Services Research vol: 25 issue: 1 year: 2025
doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-12762-1
11. Patients for Patient Safety and Inpatients’ Perceptions of Safety in three Hospitals in Tshwane, South Africa
Doudou Kunda Nzaumvila, Mbali Priscilla Pinky Shabalala, Tombo Bongongo, Langalibalele Honey Mabuza, Indiran Govender
The Open Public Health Journal vol: 15 issue: 1 year: 2022
doi: 10.2174/18749445-v15-e221018-2022-52