Effects of Just Culture and Empowerment on Patient Safety Activities of Hospital Nurses

This study investigated the relationship among hospital nurses’ perceptions of a just culture, empowerment, and patient safety activities. It also determined the factors affecting the patient safety activities of nurses. This cross-sectional study included 189 nurses from four hospitals in South Korea. The survey was conducted from October to December 2019 using self-report questionnaires including items on socio-demographic characteristics, just culture, empowerment, and patient safety activities. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis with SPSS/WIN 25.0. Patient safety activities correlated positively with just culture (r = 0.369, p < 0.000) and empowerment (r = 0.38, p < 0.000). Additionally, empowerment (β = 0.213, p = 0.001) and just culture (β = 0.442, p < 0.000) had statistically significant effects on patient safety activities and explained about 19.5% of the variance in patient safety activities (F = 16.170, p < 0.001). The patient safety at medical institutions can be improved by cultivating a work environment that embraces a just culture and empowers nurses.