The Relationship Between Organizational Stress Levels and Patient Safety Attitudes in Operating Room Staff

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between organizational stress levels and patient safety attitudes in operating room (OR) staff. The study was conducted using a descriptive correlational research method. The study sample was made up of 164 OR staff (38 surgeons, 32 anesthetists, 46 nurses, and 48 anesthetic technicians/OR support staff) at a university hospital. The data were collected with a Personal Information Form, the Organizational Stress Scale, and the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire—Operating Room (SAQ-OR) version. The most important factor affecting organizational stress was sources of stress related to financial means, whereas the most important factor affecting patient safety attitudes was teamwork climate. Sources of stress related to the nature of the work performed and to management were higher in surgeons; mean scores in the subdimension of stress sources related to financial means were higher in nurses; whereas, total scores in the SAQ-OR version and mean scores in the subdimensions of perceptions of management, working conditions, and stress recognition were higher in anesthetic technicians/OR support staff. A statistically significant weak negative correlation was found between the Organizational Stress Scale and the SAQ-OR version. In this study, as organizational stress levels of OR staff increased, patient safety attitudes were negatively affected. To improve patient safety attitudes of OR staff, it is recommended that work environments that reduce organizational stress are created.