Comprehensive Strategies and Recommendations for Optimising Patient Safety Practices in Public Hospitals of Addis Ababa: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Methods Study

Why It Matters

Improving patient safety in Ethiopia’s public hospitals can lower preventable harm and enhance overall health system performance, setting a precedent for other low‑resource settings.

Key Takeaways

• Mixed-methods study identifies gaps in Ethiopian hospital safety culture.
• Integrated quantitative and qualitative data shaped actionable safety strategies.
• Expert panel validated recommendations for public hospitals in Addis Ababa.
• Improved SOP adherence expected to reduce medical errors.
• Findings offer model for low‑resource health systems worldwide.

Pulse Analysis

Patient safety remains a cornerstone of high‑quality healthcare, yet many low‑ and middle‑income countries struggle to embed robust safety cultures. In Ethiopia, fragmented protocols and limited training have contributed to frequent adverse events in hospitals, undermining public confidence. Addis Ababa’s network of public hospitals, serving millions, exemplifies these systemic challenges. By targeting the root causes of unsafe practices—such as inconsistent standard operating procedures and inadequate reporting mechanisms—national health authorities can align with World Health Organization goals and reduce preventable morbidity. These efforts also contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 on health.

The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed‑methods design, beginning with stratified questionnaires and safety checklists to quantify compliance gaps, followed by in‑depth interviews that uncovered cultural and organizational barriers. Logistic regression highlighted predictors of non‑adherence, while thematic analysis distilled frontline staff perspectives into actionable themes. This dual‑lens approach ensured that statistical trends were contextualized by real‑world experiences, producing recommendations that are both evidence‑based and practically feasible. Validation by a multidisciplinary expert panel further reinforced the credibility of the proposed safety interventions. The approach also facilitates stakeholder buy‑in by demonstrating tangible benefits.

Implementing the study’s recommendations—standardized SOP training, routine safety audits, and transparent incident reporting—could markedly improve adherence among healthcare workers and lower error rates. For policymakers, the research offers a replicable framework that can be adapted to other Ethiopian regions or comparable low‑resource health systems. Moreover, the mixed‑methods methodology sets a benchmark for future evaluations of patient‑safety initiatives, encouraging continuous monitoring and iterative refinement. As hospitals adopt these evidence‑driven practices, they stand to enhance patient outcomes, reduce costs associated with adverse events, and strengthen overall system resilience. Long‑term, such improvements can attract international funding and partnerships.