Polish infection control nurses – Self-assessment of their duties and professional autonomy in different types of hospitals
Background The objective of the study is self-assessment of Polish infection control nurses (ICNs) in terms of the structure of professional tasks and autonomy of decision-making. Material and Methods A questionnaire survey was filled out by 208 ICNs (around 21% of all Polish ICNs) in 15 provinces...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
2018-12-01
|
| Series: | Medycyna Pracy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.journalssystem.com/medpr/Polish-Infection-Prevention-and-Control-Nurses-self-assessment-of-their-duties-and,92433,0,2.html |
| Summary: | Background
The objective of the study is self-assessment of Polish infection control nurses (ICNs) in terms of the structure of
professional tasks and autonomy of decision-making.
Material and Methods
A questionnaire survey was filled out by 208 ICNs
(around 21% of all Polish ICNs) in 15 provinces located in Poland. The research encompassed ICNs surveillance healthcare-associated
infections (HAIs) in 2014.
Results
The work time that ICNs devote to professional tasks and decision autonomy on the scale
of 1–100% was as follows: 34% (67% of decision autonomy) was dedicated to detecting and registering HAIs, 12% (71%) – internal
control, 10% (58%) – devising and implementing infection prevention practices, 10% (68%) – staff trainings, 8% (65%) – identification
and study of outbreaks, 7% (58%) – promoting hand hygiene, 6% (51%) – consults with infected patients, 4% (57%) – consults
on decontamination, 4% (54%) – consults on maintaining cleanliness, 3% (51%) – isolation and application of personal protective
measures, 2% – other tasks. Infection prevention and control nurses estimated, on average, that their autonomy of decisions
concerning the professional tasks performed amounted to 60%.
Conclusions
Infection control nurses in Poland have
difficulty in achieving balance between tasks they perform and the authority they exercise. The ICN professional task structure is
dominated by duties associated with monitoring hospital infections, however, the greatest decision autonomy is visible regarding
internal control. Decision-making concentrated on internal control may hinder building a positive image of an ICN. We should
strive to firmly establish professional tasks and rights of ICNs in legislation concerning performing the duties of a nurse and
midwife. Med Pr 2018;69(6):605–612 |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0465-5893 2353-1339 |