What is a Culture of Safety?

Patient safety culture (LD.03.01.01) is the extent to which an organization’s culture supports and promotes patient safety. Patient safety culture refers to the beliefs, values, and norms that are shared by health care practitioners and other staff throughout the organization that influence their actions and behaviors.

Patient safety culture influences the effectiveness of performance.  All individuals MUST be focused on maintaining excellence in performance and work together to minimize any harm that might result from unsafe practices. 

  Improving the culture of safety within health care is an essential component of preventing or reducing errors and improving overall health care quality.