[Barriers and challenges of the functional healthcare risk management units in hospitals of Madrid health service]

Abstract

Objective: To identify the barriers and challenges for the effective development of risk management units in hospitals of the Madrid Health Service.

Material and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study aimed at the management teams and members of the functional units of 31 hospitals in the Madrid Health Service. A self-administered questionnaire requesting answers in free text was used, identifying up to five barriers and challenges, and their prioritization by awarding from 1-5 points according to their importance. A discourse analysis was then conducted, grouping common themes and sorting them according to their score.

Results: The overall response rate was 94%. The most frequently identified barriers were lack of time (21%), inadequate safety culture (13%), lack of publication of their activities (10%), and lack of training (10%). The most important challenge was developing the training (18%), followed by improving the culture (17%), communication of safety activities (11%), and achieve leadership from the managers of the services (11%).

Conclusions: According to the study conditions, the main identified barrier identified was the lack of available time, and the principal challenge found was promoting a proactive learning culture.

Keywords: Gestión de riesgos; Patient Safety; Risk management; Seguridad paciente.