Changing perceptions of safety climate in the operating room with the Veterans Health Administration medical team training program

Abstract

Perceptions of organizational commitment to safety differ between the operating rooms in high- and medium-complexity facilities of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The purpose of this study was to see whether medical team training (MTT) reduced this difference. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire was administered before and at the completion of a MTT program. The study population consisted of respondents working in the operating room. Responses to the 7 safety climate items were analyzed using nonparametric tests. Before MTT, respondents working at medium-complexity facilities had more favorable perceptions of knowledge of proper channels and encouragement by colleagues to report safety concerns than respondents who work at high-complexity facilities. At completion, there was no difference in perceptions between respondents working at high- and medium-complexity facilities for these items. The VHA MTT program improved perceptions at both high- and medium-complexity facilities and eliminated differences present at baseline.