Quality assurance through use of a self evaluation tool. Methods of a pilot study

Quality assurance data from a valid, reliable tool can provide the occupational health nurse with evidence of contributions made to worker health and corporate goals. A committee of occupational health nurses devised a tool for quality assurance measurement. This tool represents a significant beginning. A pilot study was undertaken to test the tool. The tool itself presented barriers to completion. Use of a convenient sample, lack of tool completion, and a low response rate precluded inference or generalization. Creation of an overall design and approach using the research process can facilitate tool development and analysis. The authors encourage the refinement of this tool or the development of others.