Nurse Work Environment and Stress Biomarkers: Possible Implications for Patient Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Nursing research
• Occupational health
• Patient safety

Background:

• The hospital work environment significantly influences nurse well-being and potentially patient outcomes.
• Biomarkers such as dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) can reflect physiological stress responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the nurse work environment, specific serum biomarkers, and patient outcomes within a large hospital setting.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving a work environment questionnaire administered to all nurses.
• Serum samples were collected from a subsample of 83 nurses.
• Correlation analyses were used to examine associations between work environment factors, DHEA-S and IL-6 levels, and unit-level patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• Increased work stress correlated with lower DHEA-S and higher IL-6 levels.
• Higher psychological safety and competence development were associated with increased DHEA-S.
• Elevated DHEA-S levels showed a negative correlation with central line-associated bloodstream infections.

Conclusions:

• The hospital work environment can influence nurse physiology through biomarkers.
• These physiological changes may represent a mechanism linking nurse well-being to patient safety and outcomes.
• Interventions to improve the nurse work environment could enhance both nurse health and patient safety.