Perceptions of Infection Control Practices Among Health Professionals
Rochelle E Watkins
Research Fellow, Division of Health Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Dianne Wynaden
School of Nursing, Curtin University of Technology, Perth; Directorate of Mental Health, Fremantle Hospital and Health Service, WA
Linda Hart
Research Assistant, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Ian Landsborough
Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Sunita McGowan
Director, Nursing Research and Evaluation, Fremantle Hospital and Health Service; Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Gaye Speed
Nurse Consultant Clinical Improvement, Fremantle Hospital; Adjunct Senior Research Associate, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Angélica Orb
Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Saras Henderson
School of Nursing and Midwifery; Griffith Health Institute and Research Centre for Population and Community Health, Griffith University, Gold Coast QLD
Sally Wilson
Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Wendy Calnan
Clinical Nurse Consultant Infection Control, Fremantle Hospital and Health Service, Fremantle WA
PP: 109
Abstract
Infection control practice is a cornerstone of modern health care. However, there is minimal research into health professionals' perception of infection control practices and how those perceptions influence staff compliance with recommended protocols.
The objective of this study was to explore health care professionals' perceptions of infection control practices in relation to the management of infectious diseases. A grounded theory approach was used as the research framework. Semi-structured interviews were completed with a sample of 16 nurses and doctors working at hospitals in Western Australia. Four major categories emerged from the data. These were: knowledge, culture, conflict, and risk assessment.
The findings indicate the importance of both individual and organisational factors in determining clinicians' levels of compliance with recommended infection control practices. Identification of the factors that influence health professionals' level of compliance can be used to develop strategies to support long-term compliance with infection control practices.
Keywords
infection control, health professionals, perceptions, compliance
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