Recorded presentation

Lee Ann Hoff, PhD, RN¹, Kathy Sperrazza, RN, BSN, MSLR¹, Craig Slatin, ScDMPH², Carole Pearce, PhD RN², and The PHASE in Healthcare Project². (1) Research Consultant, 78 Stratford St., West Roxbury, MA 02132, 617 323 6887, leeann.hoff@verizon.net, (2) School of Health and Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 3 Solomont Way, Suite 4, Lowell, MA 01854

In both the fields of nursing and occupational health and safety, the nursing work environment has been a focus of research. Bureau of Labor Statistics data since 1984 has shown that nursing and other patient care positions have become some of the most dangerous in terms of workplace injuries and illnesses. Promoting Healthy and Safe Employment (PHASE) in Healthcare, a University of Massachusetts Lowell research project, is collaborating with the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) to learn more about occupational health disparities among healthcare workers. Faced with limited access to healthcare workers within the study’s participating facilities, and the withdrawal of unionized facilities from the study, the researchers and the union decided to conduct a set of focus groups with union members of the MNA. Seven focus groups were held with over forty nurse participants. Topics included: health and safety; workplace violence and assaults; workers’ compensation and return to work programs; workplace discrimination and diversity support; and healthcare system restructuring. The focus groups included many highly experienced nurses, union leadership, and health and safety activists. Findings provide dramatic evidence of the ways in which a complex, rapidly changing healthcare work environment affects the health and safety of nurses and their ability to provide care in accordance with professional standards. These nurses’ work environment experiences correspond with the literature regarding healthcare restructuring and its impact upon patient care and the health and safety of healthcare workers.

Learning Objectives: