Study on factors related to repeated incidents and accidents caused by nursing professionals

Abstract

Objectives:To clarify the factors related to repeated incidents and accidents caused by nursing professionals. M ethods:We prepared a questionnaire for incidents and accidents referring to questionnaire items reported in previous studies, and conducted an anonymous self-administrative questionnaire survey for 689 nursing professionals in an acute-care hospital. Survey correspondents were divided into 3 groups by frequencies of incidents and accidents they reported (0 time, 1-2 times,more than 3 times) during the last 6 months,and mean scores in each item that related to incidents and accidents were compared between the groups. Results:Valid responses were obtained from 461 respondents (92.9%). Mean scores in 8 items for anxiety and tension, confusion, depression, obedience, lack of judgement, lack of cooperation, harsh working condition, and pressure of business were significantly higher in the group of nursing professionals reporting incidents and accidents more than 3 times than in the other 2 groups (p < 0.05-0.001). Conclusion:Frequencies of incidents and accidents reported by nursing professionals were correlated with above mentioned 8 questionnaire items. The results suggest that these items can be utilized as tools to understand the risks for incidents and accidents.