A Culture of Safety aims to promote which practice in patient care?

• A. Isolated decision making
• B. Interdisciplinary engagement and open communication
• C. Heavy emphasis on individual responsibility
• D. Limiting communication

Answer: (B)

A Culture of Safety relies on teamwork and open, nonpunitive communication across all members of the care team. When clinicians from different disciplines collaborate and share information freely, potential errors are identified and addressed before they harm a patient, and responses to adverse events are coordinated and focused on learning rather than blame. This shared approach fosters standardized processes, mutual accountability, and the continuous improvement that comes from learning from near-misses and mistakes. It also helps staff feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and verify decisions, distributing safety responsibility across the team rather than relying on a single person.

Isolated decision making limits input from others and can miss important perspectives; an excessive emphasis on individual responsibility can create a blame culture and discourage reporting; limiting communication removes critical information flow essential for safety.