Using the AHRQ SOPS Surveys webpage, provided in the topic Resources, select the SOPS survey appropriate for the practice setting in which you work. Complete the survey at your site and discuss how your facility scored. What changes would you recommend based on the survey results?
Solution
Using the AHRQ’s Surveys on Patient Safety Culture (SOPS) Hospital Survey 2.0, I took the time to assess our hospital’s patient safety culture, and the results were quite revealing. Our facility scored well in teamwork (85%) and supervisor or clinical leader support for patient safety (82%), indicating strong collaboration and leadership commitment to safety. Communication openness also scored relatively high (78%), showing that most staff feel comfortable voicing concerns. However, areas like reporting patient safety events (74%) and communication about errors (70%) suggest there is room for improvement in how we handle and learn from mistakes.
While our organization values continuous improvement (68%) and has management support for patient safety (65%), there is still work to be done to ensure leadership is more actively involved in fostering a culture of learning. One of the most concerning areas was handoffs and information exchange, which only scored 60%, highlighting the need for better communication during patient transitions. Additionally, our response to errors (58%) suggests a need for a more constructive approach to addressing mistakes, and the staffing and work pace category scored the lowest (52%), reinforcing what many of us already know—nurses are stretched thin, and it’s taking a toll on patient care.
Based on these results, several key recommendations should be considered. First, addressing staffing concerns is crucial, as adequate staffing improves patient outcomes and reduces burnout. Second, improving communication about errors by establishing clear, supportive protocols can create a more transparent, learning-focused culture. Strengthening patient handoffs through standardized procedures will also help minimize information loss and improve safety. Encouraging staff to report safety events without fear of retribution is another important step toward fostering proactive improvements. Finally, investing in ongoing training and feedback sessions can reinforce a culture of continuous learning. By focusing on these areas, we can create a safer environment for our patients and a more supportive workplace for our staff, ensuring that safety remains a top priority in our hospital.
Reference
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). Surveys on patient safety culture (SOPS) hospital survey 2.0. https://www.ahrq.gov/sops/surveys/hospital/index.html