Exploring the Relationship Between Contact Frequency, Leader-Member Relationships, and Patient Safety Culture.

Objective: This study uses Leader-Member Exchange theory to explore the associations between contact frequency (CF) of nurse leaders and their team members, leader-member relationship, and patient safety culture.

Background: Leader-member relationships are an important part of patient safety culture development. The behaviors of leaders to achieve these relationships are unknown. This study explores CF as a leader behavior to improve patient safety culture.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of bedside nurses (N = 746) from an 8-hospital system.

Results: A significant association was found between relationship strength and patient safety culture; CF's effect on relationship and patient safety culture was demonstrated.

Conclusion: Contact frequency may support relationships between leaders and members and improve patient safety culture on nursing units. Future studies should explore factors that could be enhancing and limiting CF.