Assessing Health Care Providers’ Proficiency in International Patient Safety Goals: A Study to Assess the Knowledge &Practice on Patient Safety in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Gujarat

Background: Patient safety is a paramount concern in healthcare systems worldwide, remaining a significant challenge de spite advancements in medical technology and clinical practices. To address these issues, the Joint Commission International (JCI) introduced the International Patient Safety Goals (IPSG) framework, aimed at promoting patient safety and minimizing risks across various healthcare settings. This study seeks to evaluate the knowledge and practices of healthcare providers in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Gujarat. The insights obtained will help identify areas for improvement and enhance patient safety initiatives within the hospital. Aim: To assess the knowledge and practice of healthcare providers on International Patient Safety Goals. Methodology: This observational descriptive study was conducted among 100 healthcare workers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot. The participants included Senior Residents, Junior Residents, Senior Nursing Officers, and Nurs ing Officers. Prior to commencing the study, approval for an expedited review was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Committee. Data collection involved gathering sociodemographic information and assessing knowledge, while practices were evaluated using a structured checklist. Results: A total of 100 healthcare workers (HCWs) participated in the study. The participants comprised Senior Residents (SRs) (15%), Junior Residents (JRs) (35%), Senior Nursing Officers (SNOs) (10%), and Nursing Officers (NOs) (40%). All HCWs had less than 10 years of experience, with a majority being female (55%). Knowledge assessment results from a 20-question questionnaire indicated that SRs scored 58%, JRs 54.71%, SNOs 62%, and NOs 65.63%. Compliance in practice, observed across 1200 practices, revealed rates of 46.34% for SRs, 39.05% for JRs, 47.20% for SNOs, and 68.75% for NOs. Conclusion: Overall, the knowledge and practice compliance rates among healthcare workers in our institute are moder ate. Nursing Officers (NOs) demonstrate higher compliance rates in both IPSG practices and knowledge compared to Senior Residents (SRs), Junior Residents (JRs), and Senior Nursing Officers (SNOs). Compliance rates are notably lower among JRs, indicating a significant area for improvement. Gap analysis revealed a positive gap of 12%, 15%, and 16% among SRs, JRs, and SNOs, respectively, suggesting barriers that prevent effective translation of knowledge into practice. Conversely, a negative gap of -3% among NOs indicates their practice compliance slightly surpasses their knowledge, likely due to practical experience.