The survey of more than 1,000 healthcare workers in the UK found almost half of are concerned that examples of poor patient care could put their organisation at the centre of another Mid-Staffordshire type scandal.
The Focus on culture change and patient care in the NHS was commissioned to explore the state of play in the healthcare sector following the Francis report into poor patient care.
The CIPD said its research also showed that fewer than three out of five health workers would be confident to raise concerns to senior management.
Just over half said better staff engagement and consultation would help to improve patient care.
Peter Cheese, CIPD chief executive, said the survey highlighted why NHS boards and leaders should ensure they put more emphasis on their people management and employee data.
"NHS leaders should ensure they are putting more emphasis on monitoring, analysing and crucially, acting on, people management information and feedback from staff, which can provide early warning indicators for potential culture, capability and capacity problems linked to poor standards of care.
"Information from patients about their experience is of course crucial but good quality management information can flag problems further upstream before patient care has been fatally undermined."
The study found too many nurses, doctors and other healthcare staff lack confidence in their organisation, its integrity and its leadership.
It also found a lack of confidence among staff that whistleblowers will be protected.
Kevin Croft, president of the Healthcare People Management Association, said: "These survey results are disappointing but similar to messages from the national staff survey.
"The findings reinforce the need for a much greater focus on the staff experience, good people management and staff engagement, at both a system and local level, to improve the patient experience," said Croft.
