Patient Safety Culture and Its Work-Related Predictors Among Hemodialysis Nurses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study Using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture

Background Patient safety culture is a critical determinant of healthcare quality, particularly in high-risk environments such as hemodialysis units, where complex procedures, advanced technology, and vulnerable patient populations increase the likelihood of adverse events. Despite global emphasis on patient safety, evidence regarding safety culture in hemodialysis settings within Saudi Arabia remains limited. This study aimed to assess patient safety culture and identify its work-related predictors among hemodialysis nurses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC). Methods A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 nurses working in renal dialysis units across four hospitals in Jeddah. A convenience sampling technique was employed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising sociodemographic and work-related variables and the HSOPSC tool, which evaluates 12 dimensions of patient safety culture. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise participant characteristics and safety culture dimensions. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of overall patient safety culture, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results The overall patient safety culture score was moderate (mean = 3.29 ± 0.74). The highest-rated dimensions were management support for patient safety (mean = 3.37) and organisational learning/continuous improvement (mean = 3.36), while frequency of events reported scored the lowest (mean = 3.20). Most respondents rated patient safety as “very good” (n = 150, 37.5%) or “excellent” (n = 79, 19.8%), although 38.3% (n = 153) reported no safety events in the preceding 12 months. Significant predictors of higher patient safety culture included having 3-5 years of work experience (odds ratio (OR) = 2.32, p = 0.003), working less than 50 hours per week (OR = 1.64, p = 0.016), and reporting fewer or moderate numbers of safety events. Conclusion Patient safety culture among hemodialysis nurses in Jeddah is moderately positive but reveals critical gaps in event reporting and workload-related factors. Work experience, working hours, and organisational context significantly influence safety perceptions. Targeted interventions focusing on strengthening reporting systems, optimising staffing, and reinforcing organisational support are essential to enhance patient safety culture in hemodialysis settings.