TY - JOUR
T1 - The impediments of implementing infection prevention control in public hospitals
T2 - Nurses’ perspectives
AU - Magadze, Thizwilondi A.
AU - Nkhwashu, Tinyiko E.
AU - Moloko, Sophy M.
AU - Chetty, Dayanithee
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University for the research grant that enabled them to conduct this research study. The Chief Executive officers, the Clinical Directors of the selected Hospitals for permission to use their health facilities and participants who shared their thoughts through their participation.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes were introduced to combat healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance and to facilitate the implementation of IPC measures. The implementation of policies and guidelines results in effective service delivery. Aim: The purpose of the study was to explore nurses’ experiences and perceptions regarding the impediments to implementing the IPC measures. Setting: The study was conducted in three public hospitals in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative exploratory design was used, and 49 nurses were purposively selected from three public hospitals to understand their experiences and perceptions regarding the impediments to implementing the IPC measures. Five focus group discussions were conducted using semi-structured interviews. Tesch’s eight steps method was used to analyse data resulting in three main themes and seven sub-themes. Results: Three main themes emerged. Nurses experienced challenges regarding knowledge and attitudes towards IPC measures, inadequate hospital infrastructure and lack of management support. Conclusion: The lack of infection prevention control knowledge, infrastructure and management support impede the implementation of IPC measures. Consistent support in terms of training, resources and infrastructure is essential for implementing the measures. Contribution: The findings in this study will empower the nurses, doctors and managers with knowledge in implementing IPC measures to improve the infection prevention programme.
AB - Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes were introduced to combat healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance and to facilitate the implementation of IPC measures. The implementation of policies and guidelines results in effective service delivery. Aim: The purpose of the study was to explore nurses’ experiences and perceptions regarding the impediments to implementing the IPC measures. Setting: The study was conducted in three public hospitals in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative exploratory design was used, and 49 nurses were purposively selected from three public hospitals to understand their experiences and perceptions regarding the impediments to implementing the IPC measures. Five focus group discussions were conducted using semi-structured interviews. Tesch’s eight steps method was used to analyse data resulting in three main themes and seven sub-themes. Results: Three main themes emerged. Nurses experienced challenges regarding knowledge and attitudes towards IPC measures, inadequate hospital infrastructure and lack of management support. Conclusion: The lack of infection prevention control knowledge, infrastructure and management support impede the implementation of IPC measures. Consistent support in terms of training, resources and infrastructure is essential for implementing the measures. Contribution: The findings in this study will empower the nurses, doctors and managers with knowledge in implementing IPC measures to improve the infection prevention programme.
KW - impediments
KW - implementing IPC measures
KW - infection prevention and control measures
KW - nurses
KW - public hospitals
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85142240044&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.4102/hsag.v27i0.2033
DO - 10.4102/hsag.v27i0.2033
M3 - Article
C2 - 36483503
AN - SCOPUS:85142240044
SN - 1025-9848
VL - 27
JO - Health SA Gesondheid
JF - Health SA Gesondheid
M1 - a2033
ER -