Patient safety climate among nursing staff: contributing factors

Objective: To evaluate the safety climate and contributing factors, from the perspective of nursing staff from hospitals in Southern Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional studies conducted with 648 professionals, from three hospitals located in the northwestern part of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was based on descriptive (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Cronbach's alpha, mean, standard deviation) and analytical (Kruskal-Wallis and Manny Witney) statistics. Results: Sixty-eight nursing professionals participated in the study, of whom 66.5% worked in philanthropic hospitals and 43.5% in private hospitals. A positive mean was identified in the areas of job satisfaction, teamwork climate and working conditions, with a statistical difference in working conditions between a philanthropic hospital and a public hospital. A better evaluation among nurses was identified in those who had worked less than five years, and in pediatrics. Conclusion: Regarding the perception of the safety climate when compared to the professional categories, nurses demonstrated higher scores than nursing assistants/technicians, with a statistical difference in the domains of work climate, stress perception, and unit management. Positive scores for teamwork climate and job satisfaction was evidenced by nursing staff.