2007-2008:
A large new private/public/academic (3P) ambulatory care centre was opened adjacent to a tertiary care centre. A project was undertaken to assess the infection control (IH) and occupational health (OH) needs for this unique partnership prior to developing recommendations for a sustainable joint program.
The research questions were:
1. What are the IH and OH safety needs?
2. What are the gaps between IC and OH needs and current service?
3. How are the service gaps best addressed?
Methods: A literature review provided little assistance in developing a 3P program for ambulatory care. Key informant interviews were employed to develop a process for implementing an IC/OH program.
Results: Key informant interviews identified a need for resources and procedures for sterilization and disinfection in physicians’ offices, assistance in establishing a joint OH/IC committee, signage, workplace violence, and infection control education particularly on antibiotic resistant organisms. The results of the key informant interviews were used to refine two assessment tools: a Health and Safety Questionnaire (staff survey) and Workplace Inspection Tool. The implementation of these tools will assist in identifying the patient population, procedures being performed, services provided and IC/OH needs. A communication strategy was developed to ensure that all employees and services (public, private and academic) were included.
Conclusions: The key informant interview questionnaire, staff survey and workplace inspection tool are useful tools in identifying OH and IC deficiencies, service requirements and will assist in prioritizing implementation of program elements.
Support: Vancouver Coastal Health, CIHR/MSFHR Training Program Grant in Partnering in Community Health Research.
To view the 2007-08 contact list for the Workplace Health Research Cluster, please click here.
2006-2007:
This cluster works closely with the Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Health Care in B.C. (OHSAH). The cluster members select one project each year, based upon the needs of OHSAH and its partners.
During the first and second year, the cluster focused on developing a 3 credit/non-credit course entitled "Issues and Methods in Conducting Workplace Health Research" and on conducting an employee survey with Fraser Health on incidents/injuries. During the third year, the cluster evaluated and produced a detailed report on "The Alert System" for Vancouver Coastal Health. The Alert System is an aggressive behaviour screening tool, a reassessment tool, and a notification system that alerts health care workers that a patient may be at risk for aggression.
In their fourth year, the cluster has focused on a growing interest to examine the link between healthcare workers' practice environments and the effects upon their health. Workplace violence is an area of rising concern as violence occurs more often in healthcare than in any other industry. The cluster is currently investigating issues related to aggression and violence directed towards healthcare workers. Cluster members' backgrounds represent nursing, workplace health and safety, psychology and epidemiology. The cluster will engage in a research project that examines processes Registered Nurses use when addressing patient aggression and violence. This project will be conducted in conjunction with Vancouver Coastal Health. Learners will be involved in:
- Developing a research question
- Developing a research proposal
- Reviewing relevant literature
- Adopting appropriate research methodology
- Choosing a target population
- Involving stakeholders in the project
- Submission for ethical approval
- Data collection
- Data analysis
- Writing up of the research findings
- Disseminating the findings
The desired outcome is to assist with the development of clincially based foundational knowledge in identifying and managing workplace aggression and violence in healthcare.
To view an Executive Summary from 2006-07 entitled "Patient Aggression and Violence Towards Registered Nurses", please click here. For the related poster, please click here.
