Long-Term Risk of Repeat Occupational Injury or Illness Incidents Among Veterans Health Administration Nursing Employees

Abstract

This retrospective population-based study assessed the long-term risk of repeat reported occupational injury or illness incidents among Veterans Health Administration (VHA) nursing employees. Using fiscal year (FY) 2002 as the start date for the longitudinal surveillance of incidents, descriptive analyses included all VHA nursing employees (N = 25,697) who reported an initial (index) incident that occurred between FY 2002 and FY 2005. Adjusted for total administrative loss rates (e.g., attrition, disability, retirements), approximately half of the "surviving" index cases reported repeat incidents during an ensuing 3-year period. This total increased to approximately two thirds during a 6-year period. Compared to their nurse counterparts, practical nurses and nursing assistants had higher cumulative probabilities of multiple reported repeat occupational injury or illness incidents. Study findings suggest that reported levels of repeat occupational injury or illness incidents represent a complex interplay between environmental factors (e.g., location) and nursing staff demographics (e.g., level of education).