Risk Management in Gynecological Departments of Hospitals in Almaty

Abstract
Introduction. Kazakhstan's healthcare system, which has implemented accreditation since 2010, emphasizes risk management, and with the rise in gynecological hospitalizations in Almaty, it is crucial to assess the preparedness of gynecological departments to ensure patient safety.
Aim: is to explore risk management organization in gynecological departments of hospitals in Almaty.
Materials and methods. In 2024, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among gynecologists and nurses in Almaty's multifunctional hospitals. The survey included 63 gynecologists and 45 nurses, with a sample size calculated based on a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. Data analysis was performed using chi-square tests and processed with MS Excel and SPSS, ensuring reliable results for comparing responses between the two groups.
Results. The majority of respondents (over 10 years of experience) reported that patient safety updates were provided regularly, but concerns about inadequate financial resources and infrastructure persisted, with 43.5% believing that the hospital employs risk management specialists. A third of respondents felt that the hospital's risk management efforts were insufficient, and more than half appreciated training in patient safety, though about a third felt it was inadequate. Statistically significant differences were observed, with 30.2% of doctors and 24.4% of nurses reporting errors detected before reaching the patient (p=0.006), and 59.3% of respondents reported no patient safety events in the past 12 months. Nurses rated their departments more positively than doctors, with 60% rating safety as satisfactory, while 36.5% of doctors felt management only focused on patient safety after an adverse event occurred (p<0.001).
Conclusion. This study highlights patient safety challenges in Almaty hospitals, including inadequate resources, infrastructure, and training, while emphasizing the need for better communication and improvements in safety ratings from both doctors and nurses.