Relationship between patient safety culture and staff motivation in Tunisian operating rooms: a cross-sectional study

Background In recent decades, patient safety culture has become a crucial public health concern. Studies indicate that the level of safety culture needs enhancement. This improvement requires the integration of human resources, which is contingent upon work motivation. Globally, avoidable patient harm remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive safety interventions. General objective To study the relationship between patient safety culture and staff motivation in the operating rooms of the two university hospitals of Sousse. Materials and methods This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the operating rooms of two university hospitals in the Sousse region (April 15th - May 10th, 2024). Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, employing descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables). Our research employed two measurement tools: the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) and a validated motivation questionnaire based on Maslow and Herzberg’s theories. Results This study surveyed 236 operating room staff from two university hospitals, achieving an 81.94% response rate. Key findings revealed that no safety culture composite reached 75% positive response, and 44.92% of participants reported low motivation at work. Several HSOPSC composites were significantly correlated with motivation factors, including: “Overall perception of safety” and “Teamwork between departments of the institution” were linked to “Remuneration”, “Expectations and actions of hierarchical superiors regarding patient safety,” “Learning organization and continuous improvement,” and “Freedom of expression” were associated with “Job attributes», «Human resources” with “Collaboration”, “Frequency of reporting adverse events,” “Learning organization and continuous improvement,” and “Human resources” were correlated with “Achievement” . Conclusion Fostering a motivating work environment that champions patient safety is essential for hospitals. This setting, built on open communication and staff empowerment, significantly reduces medical errors and improves patient outcomes. For administrators, investing in staff motivation and safety culture is a strategic imperative that boosts care quality and reputation.