Factors Contributing to Patient Safety Incidents at a Regional Hospital in Vhembe District”

Abstract

The safety of patients continues to be a significant challenge in South Africa’s public health sector, particularly within resource-constrained hospitals. This study adopted a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design to investigate factors contributing to patient safety incidents at a regional hospital in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. Data were generated by means of semi-structured interviews with 13 healthcare professionals drawn from key wards, including ICU, theatre, labour, antenatal, and paediatrics. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Health Sciences Higher Degrees Research Ethics Committee. Further approval was obtained from the Limpopo Department of Health, the Vhembe District, and the hospital management. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, confidentiality and anonymity were safeguarded, and voluntary participation with the right to withdraw was emphasised. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility (member checking, peer debriefing, and repeated data review), dependability (audit trails), conformability (detailed methodological notes and participant validation), and transferability (thick description of context and processes). Findings revealed that individual-level challenges such as inadequate training, low motivation, and poor awareness of safety protocols contributed significantly to adverse events. Interpersonal factors including poor communication, weak teamwork, and reluctance to seek help were found to undermine collaborative patient care. Systemic barriers, including chronic staff shortages, inadequate resources, weak infrastructure, and ineffective leadership, further compound the risks. Environmental challenges, including overcrowded wards, unsafe clinics, and weak referral systems, exacerbated safety incidents. Additionally, patient-related factors such as non-compliance, absconding, low health literacy, and socio-economic constraints were identified as contributing risks. The study concludes that patient safety in resource-constrained hospitals is the result of a complex interplay between individual, relational, systemic, and patient-driven factors. Strengthening professional training, fostering a culture of teamwork, addressing infrastructural and leadership gaps, and improving patient education are essential strategies to mitigate risks. These results highlight the pressing necessity for integrated, multi-level measures focused on enhancing patient safety and the quality of care within South Africa’s public healthcare system.