Effects of hospital staffing and organizational climate on needlestick injuries to nurses.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Clarke
Sean P
SP
Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, 19104-6096, USA. sclarke@nursing.upenn.edu
Sloane
Douglas M
DM
Aiken
Linda H
LH
D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce