Basic human values and safety in geriatric organizations: a study of state regulations in Israel

Background The study explores how state regulations can encourage and influence organizational norms, such as safety in geriatric healthcare. Methods Using thematic analysis, we focused on patient safety as an organizational goal by analyzing the content of 147 regulations related to geriatric treatment. The analysis was framed within Schwartz’s theory of basic human values. Results Three main themes were identified: patient safety, staff safety, and safety and risk management. The findings show that safety-related values are systematically embedded in Israeli geriatric regulations and offer practical strategies for enhancing safety outcomes in geriat​ric hospitals. Conclusions The study offers three main contributions. Firs​t, it applies an individual-level value theory to explain organi​zationa​l objectives in a health policy context. Second, it provides a t​hree-level regulatory framework (micro, meso, macro) that enables more targeted and specialized policy development. Third, it demonstrates that well-written regulations can serve as detailed operational tools that improve nonmedical aspects of care and advance organizational goals.