Date of Defense

4-5-2004

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. John Austin

Second Advisor

Sigurdur Sigurdsson

Third Advisor

Nicole Gravina

Abstract

This study made use of a multiple baseline design across settings to evaluate the effects of an intervention package designed to increase the use of injury reduction techniques among hospital operating room employees handling sharp instruments. The intervention package consisted of participative goal setting, feedback, task clarification, and peer prompting. Hospital operating room employees working in surgical procedures were the participants in this study. Data were collected on the exchanging of sharp surgical instruments during a procedure, and the dependent variable in the study was the percentage of sharps passed safely during observed procedures. During baseline the average percentages of sharp instruments passed safely was 32% in the inpatient surgery unit, and 31%in the outpatient surgery unit. Following the implementation of the intervention package the average percentages of sharps passed safely increased to 64% in the inpatient surgery unit, and70% in the outpatient surgery unit. The results of this study suggest the usefulness of behavioral strategies in reducing at-risk behavior among employees in healthcare settings.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

Download

Share

COinS