Management's role in influencing institutional Sharps Injury (SI) rates: Two statewide surveys

B. N. Doebbeling, S. E. Beekmann, L. Murphy, J. Grosch, T. Vaughn, K. Ferguson, J. Torner, S. Yagla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We surveyed infection control practitioners (ICPs) in all Virginia hospitals (VA, N=108) and all hospitals and the largest chronic care facilities in Iowa (IA, N=135) to identify organizational and management characteristics of effective bloodborne pathogen exposure prevention programs. Respondents (89 IA, 42 VA) reported on leadership support for standard precautions (SP) compliance, management commitment to infection control and health care worker (HCW) protection, and SI over the previous year. ICPs rated their facility's safety climate on 21 Likert scale items; factor analysis was performed with Varimax orthogonal rotation. The relationship of leadership support for SP compliance with the overall institutional SI rates was examined using linear regression. Factor analysis identified 6 factors accounting for 66.4% of the total variance. Internal consistency reliability of the scales was excellent (α >0.78). Management Commitment accounted for 22.1% of the total variance while factor 2, Job Demands, accounted for 12.6%. The remaining factors (and their total variances) included: Active Safety Committee (9.1%); Sharps Disposal Container Availability (8.4%); Employee Responsibility (7.0%); and Unit Feedback (7.0%). Positive compliance reinforcement by Nursing Directors was associated with a lower overall SI rate In IA (r=.203, p=0.07). Negative reinforcement by Directors of Housekeeping in VA was associated with an increased SI rate (r=.341, p=0.05). Negative reinforcement by Clinical Laboratory Directors was related to a significant increase in the SI rate in VA (r=.752, p≤0.0001). These data demonstrate the critical role of management commitment in developing effective programs to protect HCW from SI. Interventions targeted at improving management commitment to employee health programs are needed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Number of pages1
JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
Volume25
Issue number2
StatePublished - Dec 1 1997
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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