Abstracts

Rationale: Research examining staff experiences on Seizure Monitoring Units (SMU) is sparse. General healthcare research demonstrates that having satisfied staff predicts higher patient satisfaction and outcomes, with teamwork and autonomy being key predictors of staff satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate multidisciplinary SMU staff experiences in order to guide future quality improvement initiatives. Methods: A staff satisfaction questionnaire used by our local health service to assess hospital-based staff satisfaction was used in this study to specifically assess SMU staff experiences. The survey consisted of 34 questions with a 5-point Likert scale and 2 open response items. Anonymous surveys were completed by SMU staff once a year from 2007-2009. Respondent rate was gathered and differences by discipline and year were examined using Chi square. Responses to key items were examined for differences in satisfaction over the 3 years using repeated measures ANOVA. Four subcategories were created by grouping pertinent survey items: professional development, interdisciplinary teamwork, environment, and patient-centred care. Subcategories were examined for mean differences over time. Results: Surveys were completed annually by nurses (average n=16), EEG technologists (average n=6), and epileptologists (average n=2), with average response rates of 33.1%, 49.7% and 46.7% respectively. The majority of staff (62.7%) reported that the SMU was a positive place to work. Highest ratings were reported by epileptologists, followed by EEG technologists. While nurses had the fewest positive ratings of the SMU as a place to work, few responded that the SMU was below average (12.8%). Subcategory analysis revealed a non-significant trend towards improvement across all four categories over time. Patient-centred care and interdisciplinary teamwork were rated highest by staff and also changed the least over time. In the professional development category, the largest improvement was in the availability of staff training, which may reflect the addition of SMU-specific staff education sessions over time. The SMU environment subcategory was rated the lowest. The item with the most negative responses was space availability: only 21.5% of staff perceived that the available space was satisfactory in 2009, which was a decrease from 37% in 2008 and 33.3% in 2007. Conclusions: Staff generally perceived our SMU as a positive place to work, with particular strengths being patient-centered care, interdisciplinary teamwork, and availability of staff training. Key areas for improvement were environmental issues such as space availability. Future research will continue to explore changes in staff experience over time, particularly after implementing quality improvement initiatives addressing staff concerns.