Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Cheryl L. Anderson

Abstract

AbstractEnsuring high quality and safe patient care are among the main goals of all acute care hospitals. This study found that quality of patient care is not consistent across all patient populations, which draws attention to the issue of disparity in access to safe and quality health care. The purpose research questions of this quantitative study examined if patient care quality and safety are related to hospitals’ socioeconomic status (SES) among Chicago’s acute care hospitals. Secondary data were derived from a sample of 20 acute care hospitals (i.e., 10 acute care hospitals of high SES and 10 of low SES) in Chicago that were determined using Medicare’s Disproportionate Share hospital designation. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software was used during data analysis. Independent samples t tests and binary logistic regression were used to examine the associations between dependent variables and the independent variable. According to logistic regression models, neither patient care quality, p = .787, nor patient care safety, p = .626, were different between hospitals with low SES and hospitals with high SES. The results of this study could lead to positive social change through helping improve patient care safety and quality in acute care hospitals. By understanding that hospitals’ SES does not infer quality and safety of care, acute care hospitals can work on individual-level factors, such as staffing, involvement of nurses in decision making, and hygiene management, to improve the quality and safety of patient care and enhance patients’ satisfaction with care.

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