AUTHOR=Cullati Stéphane , Semmer Norbert K. , Tschan Franziska , Choupay Gaëlle , Chopard Pierre , Courvoisier Delphine S. 

TITLE=When Illegitimate Tasks Threaten Patient Safety Culture: A Cross-Sectional Survey in a Tertiary Hospital

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 68 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1606078

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2023.1606078

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objectives: The current study investigates prevalence of illegitimate tasks in the hospital, and their association with patient safety culture outcomes, which has not been investigated. 
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in a tertiary referral hospital. Patient safety culture outcomes were measured with the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture questionnaire and assessed low safety rating in their unit and having completed one or more safety event reports in the last 12 months. Analyses were adjusted for hospital departments and staff characteristics related to work and health.
Results: 2,276 respondents answered the survey (participation rate 35.0%). 26.2% of respondents perceived illegitimate tasks frequently. 8.1% reported a low level of safety in their unit and 60.3% reported having completed one or more safety event reports. In multivariable analysis, perception of illegitimate tasks was associated with a higher risk of reporting low safety rating and with a higher chance of completing event reports.
Conclusion: Prevalence of perceived illegitimate tasks was quite high. A programme to reduce illegitimate tasks could provide support for a causal effect of these tasks on safety culture outcomes.