Effects of Hospital Staffing and Organizational Climate on Needlestick Injuries to Nurses

OBJECTIVES: 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.