COMMENTARY: IMPROVING PATIENT SAFETY BY PROMOTING THE SPIRITUAL HEALTH OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS

The World Health Organization reports that millions of patients suffer from unsafe care annually. Today, patient safety is one of the main challenges worldwide. Three factors can affect patient safety: organizational and managerial factors, physical and structural factors, and human factors. The human factor is more important and influential than the other factors mentioned. Inaccuracy and negligence of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical staff can endanger the patient's safety. Various strategies have been recommended to improve patient safety, including careful monitoring and control of treatment procedures, increasing the responsibility of medical personnel, increasing medical staff satisfaction, employee promotion, etc. This commentary is suggested to improve patient safety by enhancing the spiritual health of the healthcare workers by using Islamic teachings based on the emphasis of the religion of Islam on the importance, value, and position of the healthcare workers, the wellness of the society, and the reward for treating and caring for patients. Strengthening the religious foundations and spiritual beliefs of healthcare workers can lead to greater responsibility and conscientiousness at work and, as a result, increase patient safety. Practical suggestions proposed to improve the spiritual health of healthcare workers included: Holding workshops related to strengthening and consolidating religious beliefs, Holding meetings to explain and interpret the importance of caring for the patient in religious teachings, Holding book reading competitions related to responsibility and service to patients from the perspective of religion, Holding regular weekly meetings to read the Qur'an and holding group prayers, and installing artistic and attractive signs on the importance and rewards of helping patients in the environment of hospitals and medical service centers.