Clarke SP, Sloane DM, Aiken LH, et al.
American journal of public health. Date of publication 2002 Jul 1;volume 92(7):1115-9.
1. Am J Public Health. 2002 Jul;92(7):1115-9. doi: 10.2105/ajph.92.7.1115.
Effects of hospital staffing and organizational climate on needlestick injuries
to nurses.
Clarke SP(1), Sloane DM, Aiken LH.
Author information:
(1)Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, University of Pennsylvania
School of Nursing, Philadelphia, 19104-6096, USA. sclarke@nursing.upenn.edu
OBJECTIVES: This study determined the effects of nurse staffing and nursing
organization on the likelihood of needlestick injuries in hospital nurses.
METHODS: We analyzed retrospective data from 732 and prospective data from 960
nurses on needlestick exposures and near misses over different 1-month periods
in 1990 and 1991. Staffing levels and survey data about working climate and risk
factors for needlestick injuries were collected on 40 units in 20 hospitals.
RESULTS: Nurses from units with low staffing and poor organizational climates
were generally twice as likely as nurses on well-staffed and better-organized
units to report risk factors, needlestick injuries, and near misses.
CONCLUSIONS: Staffing and organizational climate influence hospital nurses'
likelihood of sustaining needlestick injuries. Remedying problems with
understaffing, inadequate administrative support, and poor morale could reduce
needlestick injuries.
DOI: 10.2105/ajph.92.7.1115
PMCID: PMC1447200
PMID: 12084694 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
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