Leadership: Patient safety depends on it!

Background:Safetyleadershipinhealthcareisrequiredandshouldbeencouragedfromthebedsidethroughtotheexecutiveandisessentialforthesafetyofthepatientsinourcare.Majorhealthinquirieshavehighlightedfailureofleadershipasacauseofpoorpatientoutcomes. Aim:Tohighlightissuesandinitiativesraisedwithindiscussionforumsbypostgraduatehealthcaremanagementstudentsaskedtoreflectuponleadership,qualityandsafety,andhumanfactorsintoday'shealthcareenvironment Methods:Aqualitativeapproachbywayofretrospectivereviewofcompulsorydiscussionforumpostsfromonlinepostgraduatequalityandsafetyandhumanfactorsinhealthcareunits. Findings:Authoritygradientspersistincontemporaryhealthcaresettings,influencedtoacertaindegreebythemulti-generationalworkforce,andultimatelycompromisingcommunicationandteamwork.Hu-manfactorseffectsoncareprovisionemphasisedfatigueasasignificantissuethatneedstobeaddressedbyappropriateworkforcemanagement.Discussion:Theabilityforhealthcareprofessionalstochallengedecisionsanddirectivesthatmaycom-promisesafetyishamperedbythepersistenceofbothintra-andinterprofessionalauthoritygradients.Studentsreportedhesitancytochallengeorseekassistancefromthosewhohold'leadership',orseniorpositions,duetodistrustandfearofridicule.Studentscould,however,seethebiggerpictureandsoughttotranslatetheirlearningintoqualityimprovementsintheworkplace. Conclusion:Challengingperceivedauthorityisnecessaryandopencommunicationshouldbeencouragedthrougheffectiveleadership.Effectiveleadershipleadstoefficientteamworkandultimatelysafeandef-ficientcareforpatients. (c) 2021AustralianCollegeofNursingLtd.PublishedbyElsevierLtd

Automated summary

Through retrospective review of online posts from postgraduate quality and safety units, it was found that authority gradients in contemporary healthcare settings compromise communication and teamwork, influenced by a multi-generational workforce. Challenging perceived authority and encouraging open communication through effective leadership is necessary to improve teamwork and ensure safe and efficient patient care.