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
OBJECTIVES: To study the organization and practices in nosocomial infection (NI) control in regional and provincial hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data were collected by questionnaires answered by chairpersons of infection control committees (ICC) infection control nurses (ICNs) and link nurses in regional and provincial hospitals. RESULTS: From April to June 2002, sets of questionnaires were sent to all chair persons of regional and provincial hospitals, 120 infection control nurses and 57 link nurses. Of 92 hospitals, 78.3% of chairpersons and all ICNs and link nurses responded. The ICC were chaired by the directors or deputy directors in 26.4% and by doctors in various specialties in the remaining. Among ICNs, 14.2% had never attended a course in infection control and 62.5% had less than 6 years experience. Lack of support from administrators, budget, co-operation from medical personnel and ICN position were the main problems in the IC program. CONCLUSION: Nosocomial infection control in regional and provincial hospitals in Thailand needs more support from administrators and more co-operation from medical personnel.
Subject(s)
Adult , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Health Care Surveys , Hospitals, Rural/organization & administration , Humans , Infection Control/methods , Infection Control Practitioners , Middle Aged , Nursing Staff, Hospital , Organizational Policy , Professional Staff Committees , Surveys and Questionnaires , ThailandABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To develop quality indicators for assessing the performance of central sterile supply department. (CSSD). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Quality indicators for sterilization in CSSD were searched by literature review and by current situation analysis by 79 infection control nurses (ICNs) and 83 heads of CSSD. Quality indicators were drafted and subsequently validated by 5 experts. The feasibility and applicability of the quality indicators were tested in 37 ICNs and 34 heads of CSSD. The quality indicators were finally refined by a forum of 5 experts and 5 representatives from CSSD. RESULTS: A total of 30 quality indicators were developed. These include 9 indicators for structure, 12 for process and 9 for output of CSSD. The quality indicators were deemed appropriate for the assessment of the quality of CSSD in Thailand. CONCLUSION: Thirty indicators were developed for assessing the quality of CSSD.
Subject(s)
Central Supply, Hospital/standards , Equipment and Supplies, Hospital/standards , Feasibility Studies , Humans , Infection Control Practitioners , Nurse's Role , Process Assessment, Health Care , Program Development , Quality Indicators, Health Care , Surveys and Questionnaires , Sterilization/methods , ThailandABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the practice of nosocomial infection (NI) control in district hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Descriptive study using questionnaires and group discussion. RESULTS: From February-March 2002, five district hospitals in the northern region of Thailand were randomly enrolled. All members of the infection control committee (ICC) were included and data were available from 71 members (85.0%). Infection control activities were done by members of the ICC. The NI control program was designed by the Ministry of Public Health. Due to limited resources and suboptimal implementation, several defects in key elements for infection control were identified. Lack of competent personnel, inappropriate practices and lack of administrative support were the important barriers to good practice. CONCLUSION: Lack of competent personnel and inappropriate work instructions were identified. A review of a NI control program in district hospitals is needed.