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Cited by 322Workplace Health and Well-beingNursing education and managementOccupational Health and Burnout

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 58 of the 58 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Original Research: Nurses' Presenteeism and Its Effects on Self-Reported Quality of Care and Costs

Letvak, Susan A., Ruhm, Christopher J., Gupta, Sat N.·2012·AJN, American Journal of Nursing
DOI 10.1097/01.naj.0000411176.15696.f9
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Although research has been conducted on how nurse staffing levels affect outcomes, there has been little investigation into how the health-related productivity of nurses is related to quality of care. Two major causes of worker presenteeism (reduced on-the-job productivity as a result of health problems) are musculoskeletal pain and mental health issues, particularly depression. This study sought to investigate the extent to which musculoskeletal pain or depression (or both) in RNs affects their work productivity and self-reported quality of care and considered the associated costs. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional survey design, a random sample of 2,500 hospital-employed RNs licensed in North Carolina were surveyed using a survey instrument sent by postal mail. Specific measures included questions on individual and workplace characteristics, self-reported quality of care, and patient safety; a numeric pain rating scale, a depression tool (the Patient Health Questionnaire), and a presenteeism tool (the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health) were also incorporated. A total of 1,171 completed surveys were returned and used for analysis. RESULTS: Among respondents, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was 71%; that of depression was 18%. The majority of respondents (62%) reported a presenteeism score of at least 1 on a 0-to-10 scale, indicating that health problems had affected work productivity at least "a little." Pain and depression were significantly associated with presenteeism. Presenteeism was significantly associated with a higher number of patient falls, a higher number of medication errors, and lower quality-of-care scores. Baseline cost estimates indicate that the increased falls and medication errors caused by presenteeism are expected to cost $1,346 per North Carolina RN and just under $2 billion for the United States annually. Upper-boundary estimates exceed $9,000 per North Carolina RN and $13 billion for the nation annually. CONCLUSION: More attention must be paid to the health of the nursing workforce to positively influence the quality of patient care and patient safety and to control costs.

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Crossref · 10.1097/01.naj.0000411176.15696.f9

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. 2011, An estimated 1 in 10 U.S., adults report depression
  2. 2011, About medication errors: what is a medication error
  3. 1999, ANA indicator history
  4. 2010, S. Census Bureau. Table 638. Employer costs of employee compensation per hour worked: 2008 Section 12. Labor force, employment, and earnings. Washington, DC: U.S., Department of Commerce

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Metadata

Authors
Letvak, S. A., Ruhm, C. J., & Gupta, S. N.
Affiliations
University of North Carolina at Greensboro (US)
ORCID
Venue
AJN, American Journal of Nursing
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2012-02
Volume
112
Issue
2
Pages
30-38
ISSN
0002-936X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/01.naj.0000411176.15696.f9
OpenAlex
W1531597194
Cited by
322
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 2
FWCI
21.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • AJN American Journal of Nursing (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Workplace Health and Well-being
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Research and Theory › Nursing education and management
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Occupational Health and Burnout
Keywords
musculoskeletal pain, depression, quality of care, patient safety, patient falls, medication errors, nursing workforce health, cost estimation, registered nurses
MeSH terms
Accidental Falls, Adult, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depressive Disorder, Efficiency, Female, Humans, Male, Medication Errors, Middle Aged, North Carolina, Nursing Staff, Hospital, Quality of Health Care, Prevalence, Health Care Costs, Musculoskeletal Pain, Patient Safety

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