Examining the Factor Structure and Reliability of the Safe Patient Handling Perception Scale: An Initial Validation...

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Nursing science
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries are a significant concern for nurses.
• Safe Patient Handling and Movement (SPH&M) strategies aim to mitigate these risks.
• Perception of SPH&M dangers is hypothesized to influence injury rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the 17-item Safe Patient Handling Perception Scale (SPHPS).
• To assess nurses' perceptual risk of MSK injury.
• To evaluate SPHM knowledge, practice, and resource accessibility.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from 117 nursing employees at a Veteran Affairs Medical Center.
• Factor analysis employed to identify key underlying factors.
• Three factors identified: knowledge, practice, and accessibility.

Main Results:

• The SPHPS demonstrated high reliability across all factors.
• Acceptable Cronbach's alpha scores: SPHM knowledge (α = .866), practices (α = .901), and access (α = .855).
• Low standard error of measurement (SEM) scores indicate precision.

Conclusions:

• The SPHPS is a valid and reliable instrument.
• It effectively measures perceived risk factors for MSK injuries in nurses.
• The scale can inform interventions to improve workplace safety.