Perceived barriers to quality improvement and reduced medical error: A quantitative study

This quantitative, descriptive study explored the perceptions of hospital personnel with regard to quality-improvement initiatives as a collective barrier potentially inhibiting the reduction of medical error. A sample population of 162 personnel drawn from a nonprofit hospital within central Florida participated in an online questionnaire known as the Safety Climate Survey. The findings revealed a statistically significant relationship between the perceptions of personnel implementing quality-improvement measures and their positions within the hospital, the largest variance occurring between unit nurses and hospital administration. No significant relationships were found among the demographic variables of age, gender, ethnicity, specialty certification, educational level, years with current employer, years within specialty area, title, shift, employment status, and job satisfaction. The perception differences between unit nurses and hospital administration was, overwhelmingly, the strongest indicator of impeded quality-improvement measures. The findings hold leadership implications for nurse educators, preceptors, administrators, recruiters, and managers. Recommendations for practice are presented for health-care leaders to support decisions with the potential to reduce medical error.