Confirmation of the Validity of the Relational Coordination Survey as a Measure of the Work Environment in a National Sample of Infection Preventionists.

BACKGROUND Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Prevention of HAIs requires multifaceted approaches that consider the work environment in which interventions are implemented. PURPOSE This study assessed the construct validity of the Relational Coordination Survey (RCS) as a measure of the work environment in infection prevention departments. METHODS Data were obtained from 614 infection preventionists (IPs). Factor analysis and structural equation modeling tested the hypothesized model. RESULTS Cronbach's alpha for the 28-item RCS was .91. Factor analyses confirmed a four-factor solution that explained 58.17% of the variance. The fit indices for the model indicated an adequate fit, χ²(346) = 699.38, p < .00; comparative fit index = .94; root mean square error of approximation = .06. CONCLUSIONS The RCS may be a useful tool for measuring aspects of the work environment for IPs.