Construction Of Patient Safety Competencies Framework For Nurses

Objectives：1. To develop the patient safety competency framework for nurses in China based onthe situation of our country and the international trends of patient safety competency. Itwould be applied as the scientific basis or guideline for patient safety education for nursesin China.Methods：1. The competency-based patient safety education in the world examined by literaturestudy and the trends of patient safety competencies in the world was also reviewed; thedefinition and connotation of patient safety competency was explored and defined.2. Through literature analysis of domestic health laws, regulations, rules,regulatory documents and periodical literature, refining competency elements fornurse to protect patient safety.3. Through a comparative study of patient safety competency framework forinternational health care professional aboard to learn about the characteristics in theapplicability, structure and content, and to provide a reference for the development ofpatient safety competencies framework for nurses in our country.4. Obtai ne d the cogni ze of nurses i n pa ti e nt sa fe ty c ompe te nci es throughqualitative research and got the elements competency elements for nurse to protectpatient safety.5. Patient Safety Competency Framework for Nurses was developed based on ourpatient safety competencies elements for nurses which was obtained by the analysis andcomparison of domestic and foreign literature. On the basis, panel meetings was held twiceto evaluate whether it was consisted with our nursing practice requirements,scientificalness, comprehensiveness, clarity and feasibility; and officially formed thenurses Patient Safety competency frame which was modified based on the experts’ opinionto make it suitable for pre-licensure nurses includes nursing students and new recruitednurses.Results：1. The concepts of patient safety, competency and patient safety competencies weredefined. 2. Obtained the nurses’ patient safety competencies and its elements through literatureanalysis and qualitative study.3. Found out the foreign patient safety competency framework’s characteristics ofapplicable, structure and content through the comparative analysis.4. We developed the “patient safety competency framework for nurses” which isapplicable to pre-licensure nurses through assembly of experts. It was mainly consisted oftwo parts: the patient safety knowledge&skills,and patient safety attitude. Patient safetyknowledge and skills section is divided into seven areas, covering a total of22competencies. The competencies in the patient-centered care area consists of satisfying thephysical and psychological needs of patients, and actively encouraging patients toparticipate. The competencies in the effective communication area consists of masteringthe principles and techniques of effective communica tion, communicating patient safetyrisk, obtaining patients’ informed consent, communicating with the patient impaired. Thecompetencies in the tea mwork collaboration area involved participating in themultidisciplinary team, self-monitoring&mutual supervising, creating the teamwork safetyatmosphere. The competencies in safety risk management area involved evaluating safetyrisk, preventing safety risk, managing the unexpected loss of accident as well as reportingand analysis error, accident and near miss. Informatics and evidence-based nursing practicearea covered competencies of using information technology to enhance patient safety,obtaining information which is benefit to patient care and keeping evidence-based nursingpractice. Nursing quality improvement quality area include evaluating personal nursingquality and making continuous improvement of the quality of care. Professional qualityarea covered competencies of learning continuously, maintaining fitness to work,practicing in accordance with the law and being ethical. For each competency, weproposed its corresponding knowledge and skills elements. The second part consists of10items in safety attitude.Conclusion：Our study developed the “patient safety competencies framework for nurses” whichwas suitable for pre-licensure nurses includes nursing students and new recruited nurses,which can provide guidance and reference for the competency-based patient safety nursingeducation in the future. We should actively create a supportive learning environment,vigorously develop the college and university’s nursing education in the future days. In addition, it should be noted that to improve the nursing human resource issue and activelydevelop the patient safety culture in hospital to promote the continuous development ofpatient safety competencies for nurses.