title: Accident-prone norms: implications for clinical laboratories. A methods for examining groups norms and interaction networks.
abstract: Employee accidents are a costly problem for clinical laboratories. Consequently, investigation and prevention of accidents are integral parts of the clinical laboratory manager's job. There are a wide variety of traditional modes of accident research; however, they usually do not include investigations of work group norms and interaction networks. Group norms that contradict formal safety norms can arise in clinical laboratory work groups. These accident-prone norms often result in problematic procedures and activities. Examples of these accident-prone norms include: failure to use safety equipment, failure to follow safety procedures, alcohol or drug use on the job, failure to pass on information about equipment problems, and failure to report job-related accidents. These norms are frequently transmitted through interaction networks. Sociometric techniques can provide insights about the networks and can be used to develop solutions to accident-prone norms.
authors: Keene State College, NH.
authors: N R
authors: NR
authors: Pruchansky
authors: P M
authors: PM
authors: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D012449:Safety; D014481:United States