Medication Safety Culture Across Different Healthcare Professions: A Cross-Sectional Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Medication errors constitute a significant patient safety challenge in healthcare systems worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, the rapid expansion of healthcare infrastructure necessitates a comprehensive understanding of medication safety culture (MSC) across different professional groups. Healthcare professionals' perceptions of safety culture directly influence reporting behaviors and preventive practices.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess and compare medication safety culture perceptions among physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and allied health professionals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to identify key determinants and barriers affecting safety culture.

Methods: A validated self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) was distributed to 412 healthcare professionals across eight hospitals in Riyadh between February and June 2024. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and binary logistic regression were employed for analysis.

Results: The overall positive response rate for medication safety culture was 67.8% (SD ± 12.4%). Pharmacists demonstrated the highest safety culture scores (mean composite score: 74.3%), followed by allied health professionals (69.2%), physicians (66.7%), and nurses (63.4%). Significant interprofessional differences were observed in incident reporting (p < 0.001), non-punitive response to error (p = 0.003), and communication openness (p = 0.012). Fear of blame was the most commonly cited barrier to reporting (72.4%), followed by lack of feedback (65.8%).

Conclusions: Substantial interprofessional variation in medication safety culture exists among Riyadh healthcare workers. Targeted interventions addressing blame culture, standardizing reporting systems, and fostering interprofessional communication are essential to improving patient safety outcomes in the Saudi healthcare context.