Objective: To determine the association between access to adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and mental health outcomes among a sample of U.S. nurses. Methods: An online questionnaire was administered in May 2020 to Michigan nurses via three statewide nursing organizations (n = 695 respondents). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with mental health symptoms. Results: Nurses lacking access to adequate PPE (24.9%, n = 163) were more likely to report symptoms of depression (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.31, 2.94; P = 0.001), anxiety (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.12, 2.40; P = 0.01) and post-traumatic stress disorder (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.22, 2.74; P = 0.003). Conclusions: Healthcare organizations should be aware of the magnitude of mental health problems among nurses and vigilant in providing them with adequate PPE as the pandemic continues.

Objective To identify organizational factors contributing to workplace violence in hospitals. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted in 2013 among employees in a Midwestern hospital system (n=446 respondents). Questions concerned employees’ experiences of violence at work in the previous year and perceptions of the organizational safety climate. Logistic regressions examined staff interaction and safety climate factors associated with verbal and physical violence, respectively. Results Interpersonal conflict was a risk factor for verbal violence (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.04-2.12, p<.05) and low work efficiency was a risk factor for physical violence (OR .98, 0.97-0.99). A poor violence prevention climate was a risk factor for verbal (OR 0.48, 0.36-0.65, p<.001) and physical (OR 0.60, 0.45-0.82, p<.05) violence. Conclusions Interventions should aim at improving coworker relationships, work efficiency, and management promotion of the hospital violence prevention climate.