Table 3

SAQ item descriptives used for benchmarking
teamwork climate
 % item missing data
 mean (sd)
 % agree (min agree-max agree)
 % disagree (min disagree-max disagree)
 factor loading (between)
 factor loading (within)
It is easy for personnel in this ICU to ask questions when there is something that they do not understand.
 1.4
 4.17 (.96)
 81 (42–100)
 7 (0–35)
 0.91
 0.65
I have the support I need from other personnel to care for patients.
 2.2
 3.97 (.99)
 74 (33–98)
 9 (0–43)
 0.90
 0.65
Nurse input is well received in this ICU.
 1.6
 3.98 (1.05)
 73 (24–100)
 10 (0–55)
 0.76
 0.61
In this ICU, it is difficult to speak up if I perceive a problem with patient care.
 2.0
 2.40 (1.21)
 22 (0–50)
 60 (9–100)
 -0.86
 -0.42
Disagreements in this ICU are resolved appropriately (i.e., not who is right, but what is best for the patient)
 1.7
 3.53 (1.10)
 57 (23–85)
 18 (0–55)
 0.85
 0.61
The physicians and nurses here work together as a well-coordinated team.
 1.6
 3.78 (1.07)
 68 (26–98)
 14 (0–52)
 0.76
 0.63
safety climate





The culture in this ICU makes it easy to learn from the errors of others.
 1.8
 3.95 (1.01)
 72 (33–100)
 10 (0–33)
 0.94
 0.59
Medical errors are handled appropriately in this ICU.
 2.2
 3.45 (1.06)
 51 (14–92)
 17 (0–57)
 0.83
 0.59
I know the proper channels to direct questions regarding patient safety in this ICU.
 1.6
 3.83 (1.01)
 64 (24–100)
 9 (0–38)
 0.78
 0.43
I am encouraged by my colleagues to report any patient safety concerns I may have
 1.4
 4.08 (.94)
 78 (48–100)
 7 (0–26)
 0.94
 0.60
I receive appropriate feedback about my performance.
 0.9
 3.20 (1.23)
 46 (5–77)
 31 (0–76)
 0.73
 0.58
I would feel safe being treated here as a patient.
 1.2
 4.05 (1.04)
 75 (36–100)
 9 (0–42)
 0.54
 0.62
In this ICU, it is difficult to discuss errors.
 1.6
 2.53 (1.13)
 20 (0–46)
 52 (21–92)
 -0.69
 -0.40
job satisfaction





This hospital is a good place to work.
 0.9
 3.73 (1.08)
 63 (5–100)
 13 (0–59)
 0.99
 0.81
I am proud to work at this hospital.
 0.8
 3.78 (1.07)
 62 (16–100)
 11 (0–50)
 0.97
 0.80
Working in this hospital is like being part of a large family.
 0.5
 3.10 (1.30)
 42 (0–94)
 33 (0–80)
 0.91
 0.69
Moral in this ICU area is high.
 1.4
 2.96 (1.25)
 39 (4–83)
 37 (0–78)
 0.69
 0.61
I like my job.
 0.3
 4.37 (.88)
 85 (61–100)
 5 (0–18)
 0.73
 0.57
stress recognition





When my workload becomes excessive, my performance is impaired.
 1.2
 3.83 (1.13)
 72 (29–100)
 15 (0–53)
 0.96
 0.60
I am more likely to make errors in tense or hostile situations.
 1.2
 3.74 (1.16)
 67 (30–88)
 17 (0–50)
 0.74
 0.57
Fatigue impairs my performance during emergency situations (e.g., emergency resuscitation, seizure).
 3.5
 3.00 (1.28)
 40 (6–79)
 36 (13–76)
 0.51
 0.45
I am less effective at work when fatigued.
 1.1
 3.97 (1.03)
 77 (38–96)
 11 (0–30)
 0.92
 .75
perceptions of management





Hospital management does not knowingly compromise the safety of patients.
 1.9
 3.21 (1.22)
 41 (9–87)
 27 (5–91)
 0.71
 0.58
Hospital administration supports my daily efforts.
 0.8
 2.75 (1.15)
 25 (0–93)
 40 (0–100)
 0.84
 0.69
I am provided with adequate, timely information about events in the hospital that might affect my work.
 1.6
 3.16 (1.09)
 42 (12–74)
 27 (0–64)
 0.76
 0.52
The levels of staffing in this clinical area are sufficient to handle the number of patients
 1.7
 2.68 (1.34)
 33 (0–85)
 52 (4–96)
 0.56
 0.43
working conditions





All the necessary information for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions is routinely available to me.
 2.3
 3.56 (1.08)
 58 (17–90)
 18 (0–67)
 0.59
 0.54
This hospital constructively deals with problem physicians and employees.
 1.7
 2.82 (1.12)
 25 (0–83)
 35 (0–80)
 0.83
 0.57
Trainees in my discipline are adequately supervised.
 2.7
 3.53 (1.17)
 58 (10–100)
 21 (0–63)
 0.73
 0.56
This hospital does a good job of training new personnel.
 1.1
 3.54 (1.18)
 57 (16–96)
 20 (0–61)
 0.72
 0.67

Table 3 Provides general descriptive information at the item level (likert scale: 1 = disagree strongly, 2 = disagree slightly, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree slightly, 5 = agree strongly): percent missing data; overall mean (standard deviation); overall percent agree (minimum agree-maximum Agree by clinical area); overall percent disagree (minimum disagree-maximum disagree by clinical area); standardized factor loadings at the between-area and within-area levels.

Sexton et al. BMC Health Services Research 2006 6:44   doi:10.1186/1472-6963-6-44