Hospital board effectiveness: Does it associate with other board variables in the determination of patient safety outcome?

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Wael fouad*, Mohamed Bahaa Bekheit**. Tarek Eldomiaty***, Hanaa Nagdy**

* Faculty ofmedicine, Alexandria University
**Arab Academy for science technolgy and maritim transport, Alexandria
***Misr international university

: Androl Gynecol: Curr Res

Abstract

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Introduction: Recurrent problems regarding patient safety in many countries have focused attention on the role and responsibilities of hospital boards. Previous studies have drawn attention to the impacts of board effectiveness, board practices and board composition on patient safety outcome either individually or collectively without exploring the relations between these different board governance variables. Objectives: The objectives of this research were to identify the presence of associations between hospital board effectiveness and other hospital board governance variables (effective board practices and ideal board composition) in the determination of patient safety outcome. Methods: The study was conducted in Alexandria, Egypt. Survey data was collected from 328 hospital board members by using board self-assessment questionnaire (BSAQ) that included data about board effectiveness and the average score for the members of the same board was taken to obtain 90 boards’ average BSAQ score. Another survey data was collected from 90 hospitals’ chairperson or CEO using interview questionnaire that included data about board practices and composition. Patient safety data was collected from hospital records. All collected data represented the data during the year 2019. The survey was conducted during the period from January to July 2020. Statistical analysis by Chi square test was conducted to detect the presence of significant association. Results: The hospital board effectiveness as measured by BSAQ score had significant associations with both effective board practices (use of safety reporting measures, board training program related to patient safety, presence of quality subcommittee, time spent by the board for discussing safety issues and priority of safety issues) and ideal board composition (high percentage of board members with clinical background) in the context of patient safety outcome. Conclusion: Hospital board variables are closely associated with each other and have a direct impact on the patient safety. Boards that work on their development should focus on all their aspects whether board structure, practices and effectiveness of their members. Keywords: Hospital board effectiveness; Ideal board composition; Effective board practices; Patient safety outcome.

Biography

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Wael Fouad has completed his PhD of neurosurgery at the age of 34 years from Alexandria University. He is professor of neurosurgery at faculty of medicine. He is obtained the degree of Master of business adminstration (MBA) from Arab Academy for science, technology and maritim transport. Also he had Diplome of health governance from medical research institute, Alexandria University.