ORIGINAL PAPER
An ecological study on the association between characteristics of hospital units and the risk of occupational injuries and adverse events on the example of an Italian teaching hospital
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1
Regional Health Directorate, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Udine, Italy (Epidemiologic Service)
2
University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy (Unit of Hygiene and Clinical Epidemiology)
3
University of Udine, Udine, Italy (Department of Medical and Biological Sciences)
4
University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy (Accreditation, Clinical Risk Management and Performance Assessment Unit)
5
University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy (Occupational Health Unit)
6
University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy (Human Resources and Administration Unit)
Corresponding author
Francesca Valent
Regional Health Directorate, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Epidemiologic Service, Via Pozzuolo 330, 33100 Udine, Italy
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2016;29(1):149-59
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: We explored the association of workplace characteristics with occupational injuries and adverse events in an Italian teaching hospital. Material and Methods: This ecological study was conducted using data routinely collected in the University
Hospital of Udine, Northeastern Italy. Poisson regression models were used to investigate, at the hospital unit level, the association
between 5 outcomes, including: occupational injuries, patient falls, medication errors, other adverse events and
near-misses, and various characteristics of the units. Results: The proportion of female workers in a unit, the average number
of sick-leave days and of overtime hours, the number of medical examinations requested by employees, and being a surgical
unit were significantly associated with some of the outcomes. Conclusions: Despite ecological nature of the study, which does
not allow for inferences to be drawn at the individual level, the results of our study provide useful clues to support strategies
and interventions directed towards healthier work environments and better patient care in hospitals.