Participation in a focus group discussion on hazardous drug exposure and prevention
Posted on 12.11.09

Dear Brigham and Women’s Hospital MNA Bargaining Unit Member,

The Massachusetts Nurses Association Congress on Health and Safety has been working on environmental health and safety issues in the healthcare environment through a variety of research projects for several years. 

I am a work environment doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. This year the MNA has been meeting one of the goals of the Congress on health and safety and supporting my dissertation work through participation in a research project to investigate hazardous drug exposure and to develop programs to minimize or eliminate the risks nurses face. I am a member of the MNA Congress on Health and Safety   My doctoral work has been supported by a training grant from the National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the overall project is being conducted with resources from the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA).

You have received this letter to request your participation in the first phase of this project which consists of a series of focus groups.

Your role involves participation in a focus group discussion on hazardous drug exposure and prevention.  The focus group discussion will assist us to better understand nurses’ experiences and perceptions related to hazardous drug exposure and gain insight into the barriers to and incentives for the prevention of hazardous drug exposure. We have the support of your bargaining unit leadership and we have already successfully conducted groups with nurses from other facilities. With your help we would like to conduct two more groups with 6-8 BWH nurses.

Date: December 15, 2009
Time: 12-1:30pm or 6-7:30pm
Location:
Massachusetts Nurses Association
340 Turnpike Street
Canton, MA          .

A light meal will be served during the registration period. Everyone who participates in the focus group will receive a $25 gift certificate upon completion of the discussion.

Confidentiality of participants will be maintained to the fullest extent possible. Information will not be used in such a way as to identify participants or their facilities/units.

Before coming to the focus group participants will receive: (1) a description of the study and a short description of the focus group study method and its ground rules; (2) the study participant IRB Informed Consent Form which you will sign when you come to the focus group.

To sign up to participate or if you would like more information, please call or e-mail Kathy Sperrazza. I appreciate your consideration to participate in this important project.

Kathy Sperrazza RN, MS, ScD(c)
Work Environment Department
MNA Congress on Health and Safety
University of Massachusetts Lowell
781-771-5335
ksperrazza@hotmail.com
781-239-0485

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