Outcomes of interventions to improve hospital nursing work environments.
OBJECTIVE
The impact of interventions designed to improve the nursing work environment on patient and nurse outcomes was examined.


BACKGROUND
Nursing work environments have been characterized as contributing to patient outcomes as a result of organizational management practices, workforce deployment, work design, and organizational culture.


METHODS
This quasi-experimental study involved 16 unit managers, 1,137 patients, and 296 observations from registered nurses over time.


RESULTS
After participation in the intervention, study nurses reported higher perceptions of their work and work environment. Demographic nurse, unit, and hospital characteristics also had an impact on the work environment and outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings in this study highlight the importance of understanding factors in the work environment that influence patient and nurse outcomes.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007857:Leadership; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009864:Ontario; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology