Organisational Culture in Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study |
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| Authors: | Christopher Etherton-Beer Lorraine Venturato Barbara Horner |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.; 2. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.; 3. Research Team, RSL Care, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.; 4. Centre for Research on Ageing, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; University of Valencia, Spain, |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundOrganisational culture is increasingly recognised as important for provision of high-quality long-term care. We undertook this study to measure organisational culture in residential aged care facilities in two Australian states.Methodology/Principal FindingsCross-sectional observational study in 21 residential aged care facilities in Western Australia (n = 14) and Queensland (n = 7), Australia. Staff and next-of-kin of residents participated. Measurement comprised surveys of facility staff and residents'' next-of-kin, and structured observation of indicators of care quality. Staff tended to rate organisational culture positively. Some qualitative feedback from staff emphasised negative perceptions of communication, leadership and teamwork. Staffing levels were perceived as a dominant challenge, threatening care quality. Direct observation revealed variability within and between facilities but suggested that most facilities (n = 12) were in the typical range, or were quality facilities (n = 8).ConclusionThere was scope to strengthen organisational culture in participating aged care facilities. |
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