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Aged care safety dilemma: Caring‐for‐self versus caring‐for‐residents
Author(s) -
Sheridan Lynnaire,
Agim Teslime
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12128
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , dilemma , safer , nursing , patient safety , safety culture , premise , health care , work (physics) , organizational culture , qualitative research , medicine , public relations , sociology , management , engineering , mechanical engineering , social science , philosophy , linguistics , computer security , epistemology , computer science , political science , economics , economic growth
Aim To identify aged care specific work health and safety management issues by applying J ames R eason's safety culture theory to one residential aged care provider in A ustralia. Methods Qualitative, semi‐structured interviews with frontline care staff at three residential care facilities – all operated by the same provider – garnered employee perceptions of the safety culture and aged care specific challenges in their work environment. Thematic analysis of participant responses against the premises of James Reason's safety culture theory was undertaken. Results An aged care safety dilemma exists for frontline staff between looking after their own safety, a fundamental premise in work health and safety management, and caring for residents. Conclusions A ‘culture of care’ and professional identity inhibit safe behaviour. Organisational learning from incidents could assist employees in putting their safety first in care scenarios. Evaluating perceived barriers to carer‐first safety practices, such as understaffing or time pressures, may facilitate safer outcomes.