A recent study shows that specific factors in the work environment can contribute to the large variations in staff injury rates at intermediate care facilities. Researchers in Canada examined factors associated with injuries among care aides and LPNs at four representative facilities with high staff injury rates and four comparable facilities with low staff injury rates.

Compared with the facilities with high rates of injury, those with low rates of injury had significantly more favorable staffing levels (12 to 1 mean resident-to-staff ratio, versus 16 to 1 in facilities with high injury rates) and provided more supportive working environments (defined as support from the organization, supervisors, and coworkers). Other factors that contributed to a safer work environment included convenient access to mechanical lifts, a favorable perception of an employer's fairness, and management practices that support the caregiving role.

Yassi A, et al. Nurs Res 2004;53(2):87-98.