ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the performance according to the assigned roles of infection control nurses (ICNs) in Royal Thai Army hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Interviewing ICNs in 6 hospitals. RESULTS: During April and May 2002, 11 ICNs in 6 hospitals were interviewed. Two hospitals had been accredited and 4 were applying for hospital accreditation. Full-time ICNs were identified in 5 and part-time in 6. The ICNs were graduated with bachelor and master degrees in 5 and 6 respectively. Two ICNs graduated with master degree in IC. All could perform their roles in administration, education, surveillance, personnel health, consultation and quality improvement. Only 7 ICNs had experience in outbreak investigation. None were principle investigators in research except for their master degrees. The main problem was the absence of ICNs posts in all except 1 hospital. CONCLUSION: Infection control nurses in Royal Thai Army hospitals in the present study could perform their roles according to assignment except involvement in outbreak investigation in some and in research as the principle investigators in all.
Subject(s)
Adult , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Female , Hospitals, Military , Humans , Infection Control/organization & administration , Infection Control Practitioners , Interviews as Topic , Job Description , Military Nursing , Nurse's Role , Organizational Policy , Risk Assessment , Thailand/epidemiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the roles of infection control nurses (ICNs) in provincial hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Interview using a semi-structured interview form. RESULTS: Nine hospitals were enrolled by stratified sampling and 11 ICNs were included. Interview was done by the researcher during April and May 2002. All ICNs were female and in middle-aged group. Their mean experience in IC was 6.4 +/- 4.5 years. All ICNs could perform their duties according the roles set by the Department of Nursing in surveillance, personnel health, education, consultation, administration and quality improvement. Only about one half had experience in outbreak investigation and research. The commonest problems were excessive workload, lack of co-operation of medical personnel and lack of budget for immunization. CONCLUSION: All sampled ICNs in provincial hospitals performed their roles except only one half were involved in outbreak investigation and research.
Subject(s)
Adult , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Female , Hospitals, Rural , Humans , Infection Control/organization & administration , Infection Control Practitioners , Interviews as Topic , Job Description , Middle Aged , Nurse's Role , Organizational Policy , Program Evaluation , ThailandABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the roles of infection control nurses (ICNs) in university hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Interviewing 23 ICNs in 6 university hospitals applying for hospital accreditation during March and April 2002. RESULTS: The ICNs had an average work experience of 11.3 years. The roles relatively well carried out by the ICNs were: administration, outbreak investigation, personnel health, education, consultation. Better performance was needed in the roles of presenting surveillance data to infection control committee, research and analyzing the needs and expectation of patients related to IC. CONCLUSION: Infection control nurses in university hospitals could perform their roles relatively well. However, better roles in surveillance, research and quality improvement need to be developed.