Reporting the adverse events and healthcare-associated infections in relation to the work environment

Abstract Aim. The aim of this multicenter study was to analyze the reporting of the adverse events and health care-associated infections (HAIs) in relation to work environment. Material and methods. This cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in 14 acute care hospitals throughout the Czech Republic. A total of 105 acute care hospital wards were included in the study. The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index was used to assess the practice environment. The questionnaire to assess the practice environment were completed by 805 nurses. The data on adverse events and HAIs were weekly reported. Results. The overall mean number of adverse events including healthcare-associated infections was 27.7 (±36.10) per 100 patients, the most frequent being pressure ulcers and falls. The most frequent healthcare-associated infections were urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract and surgical site infections. Analysis of all adverse events and HAIs failed to confirm a statistically significant relationship between the nursing practice environment and occurrence of adverse events or healthcare-associated infections. Conclusions. Adverse events and healthcare-associated infections are important indicators of quality of care in hospitalized patients. No type of the nursing practice environment aff ected the reporting of adverse events and HAIs.