Self-Learning Package Related to Patient Safety Goals and its effect on Nurse Interns' Performance and Awareness of Patient Safety Culture

Background: The International Patient Safety Goals (IPSGs) are used to improve the
quality of care. Nurse interns’ proper understanding of patient safety is essential ingraining this
concept. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a self-learning package related to
patient safety goals on nurse interns' performance and awareness of patient safety culture.
Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted at Ain-Shams University Hospitals using a
quasi-experimental design with pre-post assessment on 110 nurse interns. The data collection
tools were Patient safety knowledge questionnaire, Patient safety culture awareness questionnaire,
and an observation checklist for nurse interns' safety performance. A Self-Learning Package was
prepared and distributed to nurse interns. Its impact was evaluated after one and three months.
Results: The nurse interns’ median age was 23.0 years, with a majority of females (67.3%).
Before the intervention, 40.0% had satisfactory knowledge, which rose to 100.0% at the postintervention phase, and declined to 94.5% at the follow-up phase (p<0.001). Their awareness
increased from 40.9% to 88.2% in the post-intervention phase, and slightly declined to 80.0% at
follow-up (p<0.001). Overall, 50.0% had total adequate performance of IPSGs, which increased
to 96.4% in the post-intervention phase, and slightly declined to 93.6% at the follow-up phase
(p<0.001). Significant positive correlations were revealed among knowledge, awareness, and
performance scores. The study intervention was a statistically significant independent positive
predictor of all three scores. Conclusion and recommendations: The application of the
developed self-learning package is effective in improving nurse interns’ knowledge of patient
safety, awareness of patient safety culture, and performance of patient safety goals. The study
recommends its use.