Roles of infection control nurses in university hospitals.

ABSTRACT

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.