A retrospective analysis of adverse events reported by Tunisian intensive care units' professionals

INTRODUCTION

Adverse events (AEs) that occur in hospitals remain a challenge worldwide, and especially in intensive care units (ICUs) where they are more likely to occur. Monitoring of AEs can provide insight into the status and advances of patient safety. This study aimed to examine the AEs reported during the 20 months after the implementation of the AE reporting system.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of a voluntary ICU AE reporting system. Incidents were reported by the staff from ten ICUs in the Sahloul University Hospital (Tunisia) between February 2020 and September 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 265 reports were received, of which 61.9% were deemed preventable. The most frequently reported event was healthcare-associated infection (30.2%, n = 80), followed by pressure ulcers (18.5%, n = 49). At the time of reporting, 25 patients (9.4%) had died as a result of an AE and in 51.3% of cases, the event had resulted in an increased length of stay. Provider-related factors contributed to 64.2% of the events, whilst patient-related factors contributed to 53.6% of the events. As for criticality, 34.3% of the events (n = 91) were unacceptable (c3) and 36.3% of the events (n = 96) were 'acceptable under control' (c2).

CONCLUSIONS

The reporting system provided rich information on the characteristics of reported AEs that occur in ICUs and their consequences and may be therefore useful for designing effective and evidence-based interventions to reduce the occurrence of AEs.

Predictors of assertive behaviors among a sample of first-year Tunisian medical students

Assertiveness is a constructive interpersonal behavior alternative to manipulation and aggression. Medical students (MSs) have daily interpersonal interactions with colleagues, patients and families. Yet, communication deficiencies due to hesitancy to speak-up assertively lead to adverse patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess levels of assertive behaviors (ABs), and to determine its predictors within a sample of first-year Tunisian MSs. This was a cross-sectional survey including 125 first-year MSs from Tunisia. ABs were measured by the Rathus assertiveness scale. Potential independent predictors of AB were evaluated using the following questionnaires: Rosenberg self-esteem scale, interpersonal communication skills inventory short-form-36quality of life questionnaire, and general health questionnaire. In addition, some MSs' characteristics were considered (eg; age, sex, living with family, assertiveness training, community work, personal medical field choice, smoking, and alcohol use). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Among the 309 MSs, 125 (40.45%) responded to the survey. AB were found in 36.8% of MSs. Multiple linear regression models revealed that self-esteem global scores, sending clear messages, anxiety/depression and male sex were accountable for 31% in AB scores variance. Targeting self-esteem and interpersonal communication skills (sending clear messages) and identifying subgroups of students with anxiety/depression state would influence ABs.

An Intervention to Optimize Attitudes Toward Adverse Events Reporting Among Tunisian Critical Care Nurses

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at evaluating the impact of a combined-strategies intervention on ICUs nurses' attitudes toward AE reporting.

METHODS

We conducted a quasi-experimental study from January to October 2020 which consisted of an intervention to improve attitudes toward incident reporting among nurses working in 10 intensive care units at a university hospital using the Reporting of Clinical Adverse Events Scale. The intervention consisted of a 2-hour educational presentation for nurse unit managers and a 30-minute in-units educational training for intensive care unit nurses, which encompassed technical aspects of reporting, the reporting process, a nonpunitive environment, and the importance of submitting reports. The educational presentation was reinforced with distributing posters and brochures and biweekly patient safety rounds that inquired about events, reinforced education, and provided follow-up to incident reports.

RESULTS

All dimensions were significantly improved. Score increased from 27.4% to 42.1% ( P < 0.01) for perceived blame, from 35.2% to 52.5% for perceived criteria for identifying events that should be reported ( P < 0.01), from 34.3% to 46% for perceptions of colleagues' expectations ( P = 0.04), from 37.1% to 51.4% for perceived benefits of reporting ( P = 0.01), and from 29.2% to 51.4% for perceived clarity of reporting procedures ( P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions using a combination of several strategies such as training, safety round, and messaging can be effective and should be considered by hospitals attempting to increase adverse events reporting. Results reinforce the assumption that a nonpunitive environment and the resulting feeling of safety and reassurance are crucial to foster the submission of reports.

Patient safety culture as perceived by operating room professionals: a mixed-methods study

Background

Routine assessments of patient safety culture within hospitals have been widely recommended to improve patient safety. Experts suggested that mixed-methods studies can help gain a deeper understanding of the concept. However, studies combining quantitative and qualitative approaches exploring patient safety culture are still lacking. This study aimed to explore patient safety culture as perceived by operating room professionals of two university hospitals in Sousse, Tunisia.

Methods

Based on a mixed-methods approach, a cross-sectional survey followed by semi-structured interviews were conducted over a period of two months (December 2019 to January 2020). This study took place in all the operating rooms of two public university hospitals in the district of Sousse, Tunisia. To collect data for this survey, the French version of the Hospital Survey On Patient Safety Culture was used. For interviews, 13 participants were selected purposively using a critical case sampling approach and a topic guide was prepared. Anonymity and confidentiality were respected.

Results

Overall, twelve operating rooms, with different surgical specialties, were included in the study. Survey feedback was provided by 297 professionals representing a response rate of 85.6%. Concerning patient safety culture, the 10 dimensions had low scores (below 50%) and were considered “to be improved”. The highest score was found in ‘teamwork within units’ (45%). Whereas, the lowest scores were allocated to ‘non-punitive response to error’ (22.9%), followed by “frequency of adverse event reported” (25.6%) and “communication openness” (26.3%). Per qualitative data, participants provided a more detailed picture of patient safety issues such as underreporting, absence of an effective reporting system, lack of freedom of expression, and an existing blame culture in operating rooms.

Conclusions

The findings of this study showed a concerning perception held by participants about the lack of a patient safety culture in their operating rooms. It seems essential to design, implement and evaluate strategies that promote a positive patient safety culture and obliterate punitive climate in operating rooms.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08175-z.

Predictors of evidence-based practice competency among Tunisian nursing students

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an important competency of undergraduate nursing students which should be cultivated before graduation by increasing future healthcare providers' knowledge, skills and attitudes towards EBP. This study aimed to describe nursing students' competencies (attitudes, knowledge, skills) in Evidence-based practice (EBP) and to determine factors predicting EBP competency.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Higher School of Health Sciences and Techniques of Sousse (Tunisia) among 365 nursing students. Data were collected using the validated Evidence Based Practice Competencies Questionnaire (EBP-COQ). Multiple linear regression was performed to determine factors predicting EBP competencies.

RESULTS

The overall score of EBP-COQ questionnaire was 3.26 ± 0.53 out of 5. The attitude, skills and knowledge subscales received 4.04 ± 0.41; 3.05 ± 0.77 and 2.70 ± 0.74 as mean scores respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis (table 4) revealed that significant related factors were academic level (β = 0.271, p = 0.001), English-language reading skills (β = 0.435, p < 0.001), facing staff resistance in implementing a new evidence-based procedure (β = - 0.081, p = 0.035) difficulties in obtaining full-text papers (β = - 0.127, p < 0.001) and training in methodology (β = 0.232, p < 0.001) and also in statistics (β = 0.205, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results help to understand students' attitudes, knowledge and skills in EBP and can be therefore a starting point to develop effective strategies for EBP curricula.

Assessing patient safety culture in 15 intensive care units: a mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

Within hospitals, intensive care units (ICUs) are particularly high-risk areas for medical errors and adverse events that could occur due to the complexity of care and the patients' fragile medical conditions. Assessing patient safety culture (PSC) is essential to have a broad view on patient safety issues, to orientate future improvement actions and optimize quality of care and patient safety outcomes. This study aimed at assessing PSC in 15 Tunisian ICUs using mixed methods approach.

METHODS

A cross-sectional mixed methods approach using a sequential explanatory design was conducted from December 2019 to January 2020. The first quantitative stage was conducted in 15 ICUs belonging to the two university hospitals in the region of Sousse (Tunisia). All the 344 healthcare professionals (clinical staff) working for more than 1 month in these ICUs were contacted in order to take part in the study. In the second qualitative stage 12 participants were interviewed based on purposive sampling.

RESULTS

All of the PSC dimensions had a score of less than 50%. The developed dimension was 'teamwork within units' (48.8%). The less developed dimensions were 'frequency of event reporting' (20.8%), 'communication openness' (22.2%) and 'non-punitive response to error' (19.7%). Interviews' thematic analysis revealed four main themes including "Hospital management/system failure", "Teamwork and communication", "Error management" and "Working conditions".

CONCLUSION

This research revealed that PSC is still in need of improvement and provided a clearer picture of the patient safety issues that require specific attention. Improving PSC through the use of quality management and error reporting systems may help to improve patient safety outcomes.

Exploring patient safety culture in emergency departments: A Tunisian perspective

BACKGROUND

Emergency departments (EDs) are considered a high-risk environment because of the high frequency of adverse events that occur within. Measuring patient safety culture is an important step that assists healthcare facilities in planning actions to improve the quality of care provided to patients. This study aims to assess patient safety culture within EDs and to determine its associated factors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study conducted among professionals from all the EDs of public and private healthcare institutions in Tunisia. It spread from June to September 2017. We used the validated French version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture questionnaire.

RESULTS

In total, 11 EDs were included in the study, with 442 participants and a participation rate of 80.35%. All the ten dimensions of patient safety culture were in need of improvement. 'Teamwork within units' scored the highest with 46%, however, the lowest score was attributed to 'the frequency of adverse events reporting' (19.6%). Several factors have been found significantly related to safety culture. Private EDs have shown significantly higher scores regarding nine patient safety culture dimensions.

CONCLUSION

This study showed a concerning perception held by participants about the lack of a patient safety culture in their EDs. Also, it provided baseline results giving a clearer vision of the aspects of safety that need improvement.

A baseline assessment of patient safety culture and its associated factors from the perspective of critical care nurses: Results from 10 hospitals

INTRODUCTION

Critical care nurses are considered the key to patient safety improvement and play a vital role in enhancing quality of care in intensive care units (ICUs) where adverse events are frequent and have severe consequences. Moreover, there is recognition of the importance of the assessment and the development of patient safety culture (PSC) as a strategic focus for the improvement of patient safety and healthcare quality, notably in critical care settings.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess critical care nurses' perception of PSC and to determine its associated factors.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses working in the ICUs of the Tunisian centre (six Tunisian governorates). The study instrument was the French validated version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture questionnaire, comprising 10 dimensions and a total of 50 items.

RESULTS

A total of 249 nurses from 18 ICUs participated in the study, with a participation rate of 87.36%. The dimensions scores ranged between 17.2% for the dimension "frequency of events reported" and 50.1% for the dimension "teamwork within units". Multivariable logistic regression indicated that respondents who worked in private hospitals were five times more likely to have a developed PSC (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 5.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], [2.28, 12.51]; p < 10^-3). Similarly, participants who worked in a certified hospital were two times more likely to have a more developed PSC than respondents who work in noncertified hospitals (AOR: 2.51; 95% CI, [.92-6.82]; p = 0.041). In addition, an increased nurse-per-patient ratio (i.e., reduced workload) increased PSC (AOR: 1.10; 95% CI, [1.02-1.12]; p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

This study has shown that the state of critical care nurses' PSC is critically low and these baseline results can help to form a plan of actions for improvements.

Evaluation of the Impact of Intraoperative Distractions on Teamwork, Stress, and Workload

BACKGROUND

Within the operating rooms (ORs), distractions occur on a regular basis, which affect the surgical workflow and results in the interruption of urgent tasks. This study aimed to observe the occurrence of intraoperative distractions in Tunisian ORs and evaluate associations among distractions, teamwork, workload, and stress.

METHODS

This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in four different ORs (orthopedic, urology, emergency, and digestive surgery) of Sahloul University Hospital for a period of 3 mo in 2018. Distractions and teamwork were recorded and rated in real time during the intraoperative phase of each case using validated observation sheets. Besides, at the end of each operation, stress and workload of team members were measured.

RESULTS

Altogether, 50 cases were observed and 160 participants were included. Distractions happened in 100% of the included operations. Overall, we recorded 933 distractions that occurred once every 3 min, with a mean frequency of M = 18.66 (standard deviation [SD] = 8.24) per case. It is particularly noticeable that procedural distractions occurred significantly higher during teaching cases compared with nonteaching cases (M = 3.85, M = 0.60, respectively, P < 0.001). The mean global teamwork score was M = 3.85 (SD = 0.67), the mean workload score was M = 58.60 (SD = 24.27), and the mean stress score was M = 15.29 (SD = 4.00). Furthermore, a higher stress level among surgeons was associated with distractions related to equipment failures and people entering or exiting the OR (r = 0.206, P < 0.01 and r = 0.137, P < 0.01, respectively). Similarly, nurses reported a higher workload in the presence of distractions related to the work environment in the OR (r = 0.313, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted a serious problem, which often team members seem to ignore or underestimate. Taking our findings into consideration, we recommend the implementation of the Surgical Checklist and preoperative briefings to reduce the number of surgical distractions. Also, a continuous teamwork training should be adopted to ensure that OR staff can avoid or handle distractions when they happen.

Assessing patient safety culture and its associated factors in 12 emergencies across Tunisia

Background

Although the emergency departments (EDs) are the front line of the public health system, they are considered high-risk environments because of the shocking frequency of adverse events, within. Developing safety culture among EDs professionals, as a strategic focus, remains a priority. The purpose of this study is to measure safety culture in EDs and to determine its associated factors.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional and multicenter study, conducted among professionals from all the EDs of public and private healthcare institutions in central Tunisia. It was conducted from June to September 2017. The instrument tool used was the self-administered Hospital Survey On Patient Safety Culture questionnaire translated and validated by the CCECQA. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS 20.0 and Epi info 6. Also, ethical considerations were taken into account.

Results

In total, the study included 442 participants from 12 ED, with a participation rate of 80.35%. All the ten dimensions of safety culture were all to be improved. As for 'teamwork within units', it scored the highest with 46%, however, the lowest scores were attributed to 'the frequency of reported adverse events' (19.6%) followed by 'the non-punitive response to error' (19.8%). Private EDs have shown significantly higher scores regarding nine safety culture dimensions. Also, the size of the hospital was significantly associated with all dimensions of the safety culture.

Conclusions

This study has shown that the level of safety culture needs to be improved in public and private EDs and also underlines the importance of developing the safety culture and the implementation of safety and quality management systems.

Key messages

Patient safety culture is to be improved in Tunisian emergencies, although it is significantly more developed in private settings. A punitive culture still reigns in Tunisian healthcare context.

Differences between surgical team members in terms of teamwork, workload and stress

Background

Within Operating Rooms (OR), teams consisting of professionals with different training and backgrounds are expected to function optimally in a high-risk environment that is scattered with stressors, that often appear simultaneously and are usually related to the ever-present time pressure which is often paired with ineffective teamwork and an ever-increasing workload and stress. This study aimed to investigate whether there are significant differences in teamwork; workload; and stress levels between surgeons, anesthesiologists, and scrub nurses.

Methods

This was an observational cross-sectional study, conducted over 3 months in 2018, in Sahloul University Hospital; in 4 ORs with different specialties. We used a validated observation sheet to asses teamwork (Observational teamwork assessment for surgery tool) during the intraoperative phase. At the end of each operation, stress and workload of the surgical team members were measured. All ethical considerations were taken into account.

Results

Overall, 160 participants from the concerned ORs participated in the study and 50 operations were observed. Most of the participants were nurses (45.6%). Concerning teamwork, in fact, surgeons received significantly higher scores on all of the dimensions. The mean global teamwork score for surgeons was 4.87 (SD = 0.75, p &lt; 0.01) on a scale of 0 to 6. Moreover, ANOVA test showed that surgeons experienced higher workload with a mean of 66.88 (SD = 25.98, p &lt; 0.01). However, nurses were significantly more stressed than both anesthesiologists and surgeons.

Conclusions

This study offered a practical method to evaluate, simultaneously, teamwork, workload and stress in the OR and revealed differences across team members as surgery unfolds. Given the importance of care delivery in the ORs, the findings of this study can be used to lead targeted interventions to enhance the surgical team performance.

Key messages

There were significant differences between surgical team members in terms of teamwork, workload and stress. Surgeons had higher teamwork and workload; however, nurses had the highest stress.

Burnout and its associated factors among Tunisian healthcare students

Background

Burnout is a major issue among healthcare students and a public health issue in general. Indeed, the consequences of student burnout are as complex such as mental distress factors with smoking and alcohol consumption and unhealthy lifestyle. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of burnout among health sciences students and its associated factors.

Methods

This is a cross sectional descriptive study conducted among 368 students of the Higher School of Health Sciences and Techniques of Sousse (Tunisia) from March to April 2018. The study instrument is the French validated version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS). This instrument measures academic burnout through 3 dimensions (emotional exhaustion, cynicism and academic efficacy). Data entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0).

Results

The prevalence of burnout was 64.4%. The presence of a diagnosed health problem, a diagnosed mental disorder or sleep problems found to be associated with all the aspects of burnout. Students who live alone are significantly the most emotionally exhausted (p = 0.010), and have the highest levels of cynicism (p = 0.033). Students who had a low socio-economic level are significantly more cynical than those who had a medium or high socio-economic level (m = 3.45, m = 2.81, m = 2.25; p = 0.032 respectively). Furthermore, students who perform leisure activities and practice physical activities had a significantly lower levels of emotional exhaustion (p = 0.007, p = 0.008 respectively). Also, studying with new pedagogical approaches decreased significantly the levels of the different burnout dimensions.

Conclusions

Burnout is prevalent among Tunisian health sciences students, which can have severe consequences such as anxiety and sleep disorders. Hence why preventive strategies should be applied to encounter this problem and avoid its consequent risks.

Key messages

Students and teachers must be aware of the phenomenon of burnout and its consequences as an important public health issue. Future interventions to minimize the prevalence of burnout and its negative effects should be conducted by focusing on its associated factors.

Prevalence of burnout among operating room professionals in the district of Sousse

Background

The Operating Room (OR) is a complex, stressful and potentially dangerous environment. In fact, the professionals practicing in these units suffer from a continuous exposure to multiple stressors that can, eventually, lead to a state of Burnout. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of burnout in the OR and to determine the possible associated factors with this syndrome.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study that was carried out among surgeons and paramedical staff in twelve ORs in the teaching hospitals in Sousse, Tunisia, using an auto-administred questionnaire. It was spread over a 4-month period; from January 1st to April 30th 2018. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Also, all confidentiality and anonymity measures were respected.

Results

A total of 225 OR professionals participated with a response rate of 76.8%. The medical profession was represented by 46 surgeons and the female gender, overall, was predominant and accounted for 60.9% of the participants. Our study showed that the prevalence of burnout was very high (82.6%). Actually, more than half of our population (65.3%) had a high level of emotional exhaustion, 34.2% had a high level of depersonalization and 40.4% represented a high level of low self efficacy. In fact, several factors have been found to promote the occurrence of the burnout syndrome. Indeed, there was a link between burnout and dissatisfaction of work conditions (P = 0.001), high workload (P = 0.001) and altered relationship with the hierarchical superiors (P = 10-6).

Conclusions

In light of these results, the burnout syndrome is a reality in the ORs. It represents a public health problem whose consequences do not only affect the health of caregivers but, also, the quality of care provided. Thus, it is essential to plan awareness-raising and prevention actions to combat this phenomenon.

Key messages

A high prevalence of Burnout was recorded among operating rooms professionals. Dissatisfaction and an altered relationship with superiors were found to be associated with the occurrence of Burnout.

Evaluation of the impact of intra-operative distractions on teamwork, stress and workload

Background

Within the OR, distractions occur on a regular basis, which affects surgical workflow and results in discontinuation of urgent tasks. In addition, engaging into distractions in the OR may not only increase stress and workload, but also impair teamwork performance. This study aimed to observe the occurrence of intra-operative distractions in ORs and to evaluate associations between distractions, teamwork, workload and stress.

Methods

This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Sahloul University Hospital; more specifically in four different surgical units: orthopedic, urology, emergency and digestive surgery and over a period of 3 months in 2018. Using validated observation sheets, distractions and teamwork were recorded and rated in real-time during the intraoperative phase of every case. Besides, stress and workload of OR team members were measured at the end of each operation. All ethical considerations were taken into account.

Results

Fifty cases were observed and 160 participants were included in this study. In total, we recorded 933 distractions that occurred once every 3 minutes, on average. The mean global teamwork score was 3.85 (SD = ±0,67) on a scale of 0 to 6, the mean workload score was 58.60 (±24,27) and the mean stress score was 15.29 (SD = ±4,00). The highest rate of distraction was significantly related to external staff entering or exiting the OR during non-teaching cases (M = 9.43, SD = 3.56; p = 0.006). Surgeons also experienced significantly higher workload with a mean of 66.88 (SD = 25.98,p&lt;0.01).

Conclusions

This study highlighted a serious problem which is, often, ignored or underestimated. Taking into consideration the results, we recommend the implementation of systemic interventions on a daily basis to reduce the number of distractions in the OR.

Key messages

Distractions happened in all of the included operations. Stress and workload among nurses got higher as work environment distractions increased.

Evidence-based practice competency and its related factors among healthcare students

Background

Evidence-based practice today is a worldwide approach in optimizing quality of healthcare. This approach remains little known among Tunisian future healthcare professionals. This study aimed to describe health sciences students' competencies in Evidence-based practice (attitudes, skills and knowledge) and to determine factors associated with these competencies.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2018, at the Higher School of Health Sciences and Techniques of Sousse (Tunisia) among health sciences students. Data were collected using the validated Evidence Based Practice Competencies Questionnaire (EBP-COQ) measuring students' knowledge, attitudes and skills in Evidence-based practice. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS.20) software was used to analyze data. Independent-Samples T test and One-way ANOVA test were performed to assess the differences between the different subgroups and their association with the Evidence-based practice components.

Results

Altogether, 365 students participated to the study (response rate: 93.11%). The overall Evidence Based Practice Competencies score was 3.26±0.53 out of 5. The attitude, skills and knowledge subscales received 4.04±0.41; 3.05±0.77 and 2.70±0.74 as mean scores respectively. Students' demographic and academic features were significantly associated with their competencies in Evidence-based practice including age (p &lt; 10-6), gender (p &lt; 10-3), academic degree (p &lt; 10-6), English-language reading skills (p &lt; 10-6), students' education in research methodology (p &lt; 10-6) and statistics (p &lt; 10-5), and their familiarity with the term “Evidence-based practice”(p &lt; 10-6).

Conclusions

The reported knowledge and attitudes among the future caregivers is considered below the required competency standards. These findings highlight the urgent need for changes in the current educational strategies to ensure successful implementation of Evidence-based practice in Tunisia.

Key messages

The transition from studentship to a professional health-caring role requires that students are well equipped with EBP competencies to increase their likelihood of utilizing EBP in their future. Understanding the underlying factors that may influence Evidence based practice competencies is useful in developing teaching strategies for effective EBP.

Stress perception and associated factors among healthcare students

Introduction

Stress and its deleterious effects are currently a major topic in public health. Health care studies can be very stressful as they pose a challenge for students around the world. The aim of this study was to assess stress perception among healthcare students and to identify its associated factors.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out over a five-month period (January-May 2017) among healthcare students at the Higher School of Health Sciences, University of Sousse (Tunisia), during the 2016/2017 academic year. The socio-demographic and health status data have been collected using a pre-established data collection sheet. Stress perception was assessed by the French version of the Perceived Stress Scale with 10 items (PSS-10). Factors associated with stress were examined using ANOVA and T-student tests.

Results

A total of 237 students participated in the study with a response rate of 64.40%. The average age was 20.57±1.05 with a female predominance of 90.7%. The mean of the PSS-10 total score was 31.37±4.406. A rate of 89% of cases had a perceived high-stress score. Factors associated with stress were social status (p = 0.005), housing (p = 0.01), hometown (p = 0.03), presence of a diagnosed health condition (p = 0.02), presence of eating disorder (p = 0.04), presence of sleeping disorder (p = 0.004).

Conclusions

This study reported that healthcare students had a high level of stress associated with endogenous and exogenous factors. Stress management strategies must be included in the educational curriculum in healthcare schools.

Key messages

Health care studies pose a challenge for students around the world. Healthcare students had a high level of stress associated with endogenous and exogenous factors.

Description of healthcare professionals’ attitudes on patient safety in the Tunisian operating rooms

Background

Currently, ensuring surgical safety remain a worldwide challenge. The description of operating room professionals' attitudes toward patient safety in their work units helps to identify strengths and weaknesses in term of patient safety, allowing a clearer vision of the safety aspects that require special attention. This study aimed to describe healthcare professionals' attitudes on patient safety in the Tunisian operating rooms.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study spread over a 6-month period (October-April 2018). It was conducted among healthcare professionals working in the operating rooms of the two teaching hospitals of Sousse (Tunisia). The measuring instrument used is the Operating Room Management Attitudes Questionnaire (ORMAQ), which consists of 60 items spread over 8 dimensions. The latter has been subjected to a transcultural validation process inspired from the Vallerand method. Data entry and analysis was done by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS.20) software.

Results

A total of 303 professionals participated in the study (participation rate= 76.13%). The most developed dimension was teamwork and the least developed was “Procedural errors/ compliance”. Items' results show that 94.8% of professionals confirmed that seniors should encourage medical and paramedical staff to ask questions, 53.5% of professionals stated that personal problems can adversely affect their performance and 87.5% agreed that operating rooms' team members share responsibilities for prioritizing activities in high workload situations. In addition, 50.9% of participants reported that the managers don't listen to staff or care about their concerns.

Conclusions

Operating rooms professionals' attitudes toward patient safety in their work units reflect an alarming situation regarding the quality of healthcare provided to patients. These results should be taken into consideration to guide future intervention on quality management improvement.

Key messages

Considering human factors is essential to improve safety in operating rooms and has an important role in reducing the occurrence of adverse events in these settings. It is important to study the underlying attitudes that determine the human factors for a better understanding and resolution of patient safety problems.

Evaluation of teamwork and its associated factors in the emergency rooms of Sousse - Tunisia

Background

In recent years, patient safety has become a priority and a major target for improvement especially in the emergency rooms. According to the French National Authority for Health, 1/3 of serious adverse events could be avoided thanks to better coordination and better communication between the teams. Thus, this study aimed to describe the perceptions of healthcare professionals in the emergency rooms of Sousse-Tunisia regarding teamwork, and to determine the factors influencing it.

Methods

It is a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted between December 2018 and April 2019. It included all the caregivers working in all the emergency rooms of Sousse-Tunisia. The measurement tool used in this study was “Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS)” Teamwork Perception Questionnaire. Data were coded and analyzed by The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0).

Results

A total of 110 participants were recruited with a participation rate of 72.36%. Nurses represent more than half of the respondents (56.4%). Average work experience was 7.27 years. The Teamwork overall score was 2.5±0.5. The most developed dimension was leadership (2.7±0.8) and the less developed dimension was communication (2.3±0.7). Women had a significantly higher overall score than men (2.6±0.5, 2.4±0.3, p = 0.017). Results also showed that emergency technicians have significantly higher overall score than doctors and nurses (p = 1 × 10-5). The overall score also varied significantly across the hospitals (p = 0.016).

Conclusions

Our results showed that the level of teamwork still needs to be improved. Furthermore, various factors are associated with teamwork, and that should be taken into consideration to guide the future interventions.

Key messages

There is a direct relationship between the quality of care and the effectiveness of teamwork. It is necessary to focus on the affecting factors of teamwork, in order to prevent adverse events.

Factors associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding in Tunisian population

Background

Breastfeeding (BF) is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. WHO recommend the maintaining the exclusive breastfeeding (EB) up to six months. Unfortunately, its prevalence does not exceed 13% in our country at this age. A better understanding of factors associated with short duration of breastfeeding can allow us to identify the strategies that improve it. This study aimed to determine prevalence of EB and predominant breastfeeding (PB) during the first 2 months and identify their associated factors.

Methods

We conducted an observational prospective study in two centers of maternal and child health of Monastir (Tunisia) during April and May 2019. Data collection was performed after birth using a self-administered questionnaire and at 4th and 8th postpartum week by telephone interviews. We used the BSES-SF scale to identify self-efficacy in BF and the IIFAS-A scale to measure the mother's attitude towards BF. We used Kaplan Meier survival analysis and Cox Proportional Hazard regression to identify independent factors associated with EB and PB.

Results

During the study, 437 mothers were enrolled. Prevalence at 8th postpartum week was 6.2% with median duration of eight days and 35.6% with median duration of 21 days respectively for EB and PB. Absence of a breastfeeding experience (HR = 1.31 [1.07-1.61], p = 0.008), the first breastfeeding at beyond 12 hours (HR = 1.47 [1.05-2.07], p = 0.023), the intention of mixed breastfeeding (HR = 1.25 [1- 1.55], p = 0.043) were associated with a shorter duration of EB. Absence of breastfeeding experience (HR = 1.47 [1.05-2.07], p = 0.023), the first breastfeeding at beyond 2 hours (HR1 = 1.72 [1.08-2.73]; p = 0.007) and the non-determination of the duration of breastfeeding (HR = 1.54 [1.43-4.51], p = 0.006) were associated with a shorter duration of PB.

Conclusions

This study allowed us to identify mothers likely to stop BF early. They should be the target of specific promotion interventions.

Key messages

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. Information about BF, time of first BF, type and duration of planned BF and self-efficacy deserve a particular attention and constitute key axes of effective promotion interventions of EB and PB.

Prevalence of burnout among health sciences students and determination of its associated factors

Burnout is a major issue among healthcare students and a public health issue in general. Indeed, the consequences of student burnout are as complex as other mental distress factors, such as those concerned with smoking and alcohol consumption, or an unhealthy lifestyle.  This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout among health sciences students and to determine its associated factors. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 368 students of a Tunisian institution using the French validated version of the MBI-SS. The prevalence of burnout was 64.4%. The presence of a diagnosed health problem, a diagnosed mental disorder or sleep problems were associated with burnout. Students who live alone are significantly the most emotionally exhausted (p=0.010) and the most cynical (p=0.033). Students who had a low socio-economic level are significantly more cynical than those who had a medium or high socio-economic level (p=0.032). Performing leisure activities and practicing physical activities were associated with emotional exhaustion (p=0.007, p= 0.008, respectively).In our study, burnout is prevalent among Tunisian health sciences students. Many factors were found to be associated with this syndrome. These findings reinforce the need to establish early preventive strategies to encounter this problem and its consequent risks.

Assessing patient safety culture in 18 Tunisian adult intensive care units and determination of its associated factors: A multi-center study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess patient safety culture (PSC) in intensive care units (ICUs) and to determine the factors affecting it.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study, conducted from October to November 2017 among professionals practicing in the ICUs of the Tunisian center. After obtaining institutional ethics committee's approval and administrative authorizations, an anonymous paper-based questionnaire was distributed to the participants after obtaining their consent to take part in the study. The measuring instrument used is the French validated version of the "Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture" questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 402 professionals, from 18 ICUs and 10 hospitals, participated in the study with a participation rate of 82.37%. All dimensions were to be improved. The most developed dimension was teamwork within the unit (47.87%) and the least developed dimension was the non-punitive response to error (18.6%). Seven dimensions were significantly more developed in private institutions than in public ones. Results also show that when workload is reduced, the PSC was significantly increased.

CONCLUSION

This study has shown that the PSC in ICUs needs improvement and provided a baseline results to get a clearer vision of the aspects of security that require special attention.

[Evaluation of 2 dosages of fentanyl in caudal anesthesia. A prospective randomized double-blind study]

A caudal block is currently performed in children. A randomized and double blind study including two dosages of fentanyl: 0.5 microgram.kg-1 (group I) and 1 micrograms.kg-1 (group II) in association with bupivacaine 0.25% at a dosage of 1 mL.kg-1 was carried out. Two groups of 25 children undergoing urogenital or orthopaedic surgery participated in this study. Analgesia and side effects were evaluated 24 hours postoperatively. Quality and duration of analgesia were similar in the two groups. Furthermore, recovery of anaesthesia was rapid and calm. The frequency of nausea and vomiting was respectively 24% and 20% in groups I and II and did not require any specific therapy. Therefore it appears that caudal block with bupivacaine 0.25% and fentanyl 0.5 microgram.kg-1 is a very satisfactory technique in children when indicated.