Project – INVESTIGATION ON THE IMPACT OF CHECKLISTS AND ERROR REPORTING SYSTEMS IN ENHANCING PATIENT SAFETY IN A SELECTED HOSPITAL IN LAGOS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Patient safety has become a paramount concern in healthcare systems globally due to the increasing incidence of preventable medical errors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017), medical errors are among the top ten causes of death and disability worldwide. In many low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, the problem is compounded by inadequate healthcare infrastructure, lack of standardized protocols, and insufficient staff training. Consequently, improving patient safety has become an urgent public health priority.
In recent years, the use of checklists and error reporting systems has been recognized as effective strategies in minimizing adverse events and promoting a culture of safety within hospitals. Checklists serve as cognitive aids that help healthcare professionals follow essential steps in patient care procedures, thereby reducing variability and ensuring compliance with safety standards (Haynes et al., 2009). On the other hand, error reporting systems allow for the identification, analysis, and prevention of recurrent errors by encouraging transparency and learning from past mistakes (Leape, 2002).
The adoption of these tools in Nigerian hospitals is still evolving. While some tertiary and private hospitals have begun implementing patient safety protocols, the level of compliance and the impact of these interventions on patient outcomes remain largely undocumented. In a healthcare setting where fear of blame and punishment is prevalent, encouraging staff to use checklists and report errors without fear of retribution is a key challenge. This study, therefore, seeks to investigate the impact of checklists and error reporting systems on patient safety in a selected hospital in Lagos.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The Nigerian healthcare system continues to face critical challenges that compromise patient safety, including lack of standardized procedures, underreporting of medical errors, and insufficient quality control mechanisms. Despite efforts by the Federal Ministry of Health to improve safety protocols, preventable adverse events still occur frequently in hospitals, many of which are unreported and unresolved (Ameh et al., 2019).
Checklists and error reporting systems have been proven effective in reducing medical errors and promoting safety culture in advanced healthcare systems. However, the extent to which these tools are used in Nigerian hospitals, and their effectiveness in improving patient safety, is not well documented. There is a pressing need to assess their implementation and impact in the Nigerian context, especially in Lagos, where patient volume and complexity are high. This study addresses this gap by evaluating how these tools influence patient outcomes and overall safety culture in a selected hospital.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of checklists and error reporting systems on enhancing patient safety in a selected hospital in Lagos.
The specific objectives are to:
Assess the extent of checklist usage among healthcare professionals.
Evaluate the level of utilization of error reporting systems in the hospital.
Determine the relationship between checklist usage and the reduction of medical errors.
Assess the effect of error reporting systems on staff attitudes toward patient safety.
Identify the barriers to effective implementation of checklists and reporting systems.
1.4 Research Questions
To what extent are checklists used by healthcare professionals in the hospital?
How frequently are error reporting systems utilized in the selected hospital?
What is the relationship between the use of checklists and the reduction of medical errors?
How do error reporting systems influence staff attitudes toward patient safety?
What challenges hinder the effective implementation of checklists and error reporting systems?
1.5 Hypotheses of the Study
H₀₁: There is no significant relationship between the use of checklists and the reduction of medical errors.
H₀₂: Error reporting systems do not significantly influence staff attitudes toward patient safety.
H₀₃: There are no significant barriers affecting the implementation of checklists and error reporting systems.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study is significant to healthcare practitioners, hospital administrators, policy makers, and public health stakeholders. By identifying the impact of checklists and error reporting systems, the study provides evidence-based recommendations that can be used to improve patient safety practices in Nigerian hospitals. For healthcare workers, the findings can guide the adoption of best practices and promote a culture of accountability and safety. For policymakers, it offers insights into areas requiring policy reforms and capacity building.
Moreover, the study contributes to academic literature on healthcare quality improvement in low-resource settings, providing a foundation for future research and intervention designs.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study is confined to a selected tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. It focuses on the implementation and use of surgical and procedural checklists, as well as electronic and manual error reporting systems. The target population includes doctors, nurses, and administrative staff involved in direct patient care. The study examines the practices, perceptions, and outcomes associated with the use of these tools in enhancing patient safety.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
Checklist: A written list of items or steps that must be completed in a healthcare procedure to ensure safety and accuracy.
Error Reporting System: A formal mechanism for reporting, analyzing, and learning from medical errors or near misses in healthcare settings.
Patient Safety: The prevention of errors and adverse effects to patients associated with healthcare.
Medical Error: A preventable adverse event that occurs as a result of incorrect healthcare delivery.
Safety Culture: The shared values, beliefs, and norms within a healthcare organization that influence staff attitudes and behaviors regarding patient safety.