Source
Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, 19104-6096, USA. sclarke@nursing.upenn.edu
Abstract
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.