Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112229

Ainat Koren, PhD, RN¹, Barbara E. Mawn, PhD, RN¹, Carole Pearce, PhD RN¹, Amy K. Ranieri, RN, BS¹, Danielle L. Carroll, RN, BSN¹, Andrea C. Melton, RN, BS¹, and Craig Slatin, ScD, MPH². (1) School of Health and Environment, Department of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 3 Solomont Way, Suite 2, Lowell, MA 01854, 978-934-4429, koren_ainat@hotmail.com, (2) School of Health and Environment, Dept. of Community Health and Sustainability, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 3 Solomont Way, Suite 4, Lowell, MA 01854

Workers at health care facilities are often exposed to a variety of occupational factors that may increase their risk of injury. Through identifying the complexity of factors that play a part in injuries, reporting and prevention efforts can promote health and safety in the workplace. This research is part of a multi-site study conducted at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The Promoting Healthy and Safe Employment in Healthcare project (PHASE) examined the work environment and its relation to health and safety in two hospitals and three nursing homes, with consideration of the workers' socioeconomic position. Data from one of the community hospital case studies have been analyzed for this presentation. This case study included qualitative and quantitative data from 15 key informant interviews with managers and key institution leaders, an analysis of media sources, review of hospital policies, publications and worker injury logs. Input from 81 workers was obtained through individual interviews, focus groups and open forum discussions. Study topics included: health and safety; workplace violence; workers' compensation and return to work programs; discrimination and diversity support; healthcare system restructuring and emerging technologies. Results of the study give significant insight into the culture of health care affecting attitudes and actions related to health and safety issues. Main themes were identified among management and employees at the facility, often indicating discrepancies in their perception of health and safety. Implications for improving health and safety in light of disparities among workers' social positions in the work place will be identified.

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