A single survey instrument reliably measures safety culture across 117 US primary and specialty care veterinary clinics

Objective: To validate an adapted version of the Nottingham Veterinary Safety Culture Survey in US private practice veterinary hospitals, encompassing primary and specialty care settings, and to characterize differences in safety culture perceptions among veterinary care worker populations. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional safety culture survey was conducted between October 4 and November 24, 2023. Veterinary care workers of 123 VCA hospitals were invited to participate. The survey included 27 adapted statements from the original instrument. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses evaluated model performance. Results: Responses were received from veterinary technicians or assistants (461 of 702 [65.7%]), other support staff (150 of 702 [21.4%]), and veterinarians (91 of 702 [13.0%]). Responses were received from primary care (502 [71.51%]), specialty care (137 [19.52%]), and hybrid hospitals (63 [8.97%]). Results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed adequately performing fit indices. Differences in responses were observed between leadership and nonleadership roles (75.86% of statements). Veterinarian responses differed from both veterinary technician and assistant (33.3%) and support staff (29.6%) roles. Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the Nottingham Veterinary Safety Culture Survey remain consistent when applied to a US private practice veterinary setting. Additionally, the adapted instrument, consisting of 27 statements, is appropriate for use across primary and specialty care hospital settings. Clinical Relevance: Safety culture is intrinsically linked to the safety of veterinary care workers and the patients in their care. Using validated survey instruments allows for assessment of safety culture that supports monitoring of potential intervention effectiveness and changes in patient and worker safety or health.