The Effects of the Physical Environment on Operating Room Nurses

Abstract

Objective: This descriptive research has been performed to determine the effects of the physical environment on operating room nurses. Materials and Methods: The research population consists of 246 operating room nurses working at two hospitals of the Ministry of Health, one university hospital, and five hospitals belonging to a special health group. The sample size was not calculated due to the aim of reaching the entire population. The research has been completed with 233 operating room nurses. The study collected the data using a two-part survey and analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and correlation and regression analyses. Results: According to the results, the nurses’ ages range between 20-52 years (median=30); 91.8% are female, 54.1% are married, 38.6% are licensed, and 88.4% are operating room staff nurses. The time spent working in the operating departments ranges between 1-29 years (median=4), with postgraduate work experience ranging from 1-30 years (median=9) and 60.1% working daytime shifts. The research shows statistically significant differences regarding demographic comparisons, working duration, working position, shift schedule, gender, and the mean values for the subdimensions of the Operating Room Physical Environment Survey. Conclusion: The study has determined the subdimensions of architectural functionality, environmental safety, suitability for resting, color compatibility, and temperature and humidity control in the operating room to have positive effects on the nurses’ effective use of the operating room.