The implementation and assessment of a quality and safety culture education program in a large radiation oncology department. 2016

Kristina D Woodhouse, and Edna Volz, and Marc Bellerive, and Howard W Bergendahl, and Peter E Gabriel, and Amit Maity, and Stephen M Hahn, and Neha Vapiwala
Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 2010, the American Society for Radiation Oncology launched a national campaign to improve patient safety in radiation therapy. One recommendation included the expansion of educational programs dedicated to quality and safety. We subsequently implemented a quality and safety culture education program (Q-SCEP) in our large radiation oncology department. The purpose of this study is to describe the design, implementation, and impact of this Q-SCEP. METHODS In 2010, we instituted a comprehensive Q-SCEP, consisting of a longitudinal series of lectures, meetings, and interactive workshops. Participation was mandatory for all department members across all network locations. Electronic surveys were administered to assess employee engagement, knowledge retention, preferred learning styles, and the program's overall impact. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Survey on Patient Safety Culture was administered. Analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Between 2010 and 2015, 100% of targeted staff participated in Q-SCEP. Thirty-three percent (132 of 400) and 30% (136 of 450) responded to surveys in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Mean scores improved from 73% to 89% (P < .001), with the largest improvement seen among therapists (+21.7%). The majority strongly agreed that safety culture education was critical to performing their jobs well. CONCLUSIONS Full course compliance was achieved despite the sizable number of personnel and treatment centers. Periodic assessments demonstrated high knowledge retention, which significantly improved over time in nearly all department divisions. Additionally, our AHRQ patient safety grade remains high and continues to improve. These results will be used to further enhance ongoing internal safety initiatives and to inform future innovative efforts.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D017751 Safety Management The development of systems to prevent accidents, injuries, and other adverse occurrences in an institutional setting. The concept includes prevention or reduction of adverse events or incidents involving employees, patients, or facilities. Examples include plans to reduce injuries from falls or plans for fire safety to promote a safe institutional environment. Hazard Management,Hazard Control,Hazard Surveillance Program,Safety Culture,Control, Hazard,Culture, Safety,Cultures, Safety,Hazard Controls,Hazard Surveillance Programs,Management, Hazard,Management, Safety,Program, Hazard Surveillance,Programs, Hazard Surveillance,Safety Cultures,Surveillance Program, Hazard,Surveillance Programs, Hazard
D061214 Patient Safety Efforts to reduce risk, to address and reduce incidents and accidents that may negatively impact healthcare consumers. Patient Safeties,Safeties, Patient,Safety, Patient
D018787 Radiation Oncology A subspecialty of medical oncology and radiology concerned with the radiotherapy of cancer. Oncology, Radiation,Radiology, Therapeutic,Therapeutic Radiology

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