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Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC V4.0, Open
Journal article
Patient safety incident reporting systems and reporting practices in African healthcare organisations: a systematic review and meta-analysis
BMJ open quality, Vol.14(1), pp.1-13
26/02/2025
PMID: 40011060
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Background: Patient safety incident reporting and learning systems are crucial for improving the safety and quality of healthcare. However, comprehensive evidence of their availability and use in African healthcare organisations is lacking. Therefore, this review aims to synthesise the existing literature on these systems and reporting practices within African healthcare organisations.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Five electronic databases, including PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) via EBSCOhost, Scopus, Web of Science and the Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), were searched to identify relevant records. Peer-reviewed articles and guidelines published in English were included in this review. Quality appraisal was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute and Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies tool. A random effects model was used to compute the pooled prevalence using Stata V.17.0.
Results: A systematic search retrieved 9279 records, of which 39 (36 articles and 3 guidelines) were included in this review. Eight patient safety incident reporting and learning systems were identified, with compliance rates ranging from low (16%) to high (87%) based on the WHO criteria. The pooled prevalence of patient safety incident reporting practices was 48% (95% CI 40% to 56%). However, the studies exhibited high heterogeneity (I-2=98.75%, p<0.001). Conclusion: In African healthcare organisations, it is imperative to establish robust patient safety incident reporting and learning systems, as none of the existing systems fully meet WHO criteria. In addition, optimising the existing systems and encouraging healthcare professionals to improve reporting practices will enhance patient safety and outcomes.
PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023455168.
Details
- Title
- Patient safety incident reporting systems and reporting practices in African healthcare organisations: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Creators
- Gelana Fekadu - Griffith University (Australia, Gold Coast)Rachel Muir - Griffith University (Australia, Gold Coast)Georgia Tobiano - Griffith University (Australia, Gold Coast)Michael J. Ireland - University of Southern QueenslandMelaku Tadege Engidaw - Griffith University (Australia, Gold Coast)Andrea P. Marshall - Griffith University (Australia, Gold Coast)
- Publication Details
- BMJ open quality, Vol.14(1), pp.1-13
- Publisher
- BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
- Number of pages
- 13
- Identifiers
- 991013317613002368
- Copyright
- © 2025, The Author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article