Background Periprosthetic joint infection represents a major complication in orthopaedics and trauma surgery. For an ideal management approach, it is important to understand the distinct challenges for all persons involved in the treatment. Therefore, it was aimed at investigating (1) the impact of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) on the well-being of nursing staff to (2) identify challenges, which could be improved facilitating the management of PJI. Methods This is a qualitative interview study. In total, 20 nurses of a German university orthopedic trauma center specialized on infectious complications were recruited using a purposive sampling strategy. Content analysis was performed on transcripts of individual in-person interviews conducted between March 2021 and June 2021. Results Three major themes could be extracted including (i) feelings associated with the management of PJI and the need for emotional support, illustrating the negative emotional impact on nurses, whereby receiving collegial support was perceived as an important coping strategy, (ii) patients’ psychological burden, highlighting the nurses’ lack of time to address mental issues adequately and, (iii) realization of the severity of PJI and compliance problems. Conclusion Identified facilitating factors for PJI management include strengthening of mental care in the treatment of PJI, providing opportunities for exchange among multidisciplinary team members and implementing compliance-enhancing strategies. The findings of this study can be beneficial for improving professionals’ satisfaction, optimising the work environment, creating organizational structures which enhance opportunities for exchange and preventing mental health issues among the nursing team.

IntroductionFracture-related infection is a devastating complication confronting the patient with several challenges. To improve the management and to enhance the patients’ wellbeing the focus of this study was to understand the emotional impact and patients’ experiences during the process to identify challenges, difficulties, and resources. For this, a qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews according to Graneheim and Lundman was performed.MethodsIn total n = 20 patients of a German university orthopedic trauma centre specialized in bone and joint infections were recruited using a purposive sampling strategy. The patients were treated at the hospital between 2019 and 2021 and underwent at least one surgery. Individual in-person interviews were performed by one researcher based on a semi-structured guide, which was previously conceptualized. Content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman was performed on the transcripts by two of the researchers independently.ResultsThe following major themes emerged: (i) the emotional and mental aspects highlighting the fact that FRI patients faced severe restrictions in their day-to-day life, which resulted in dependency on others and frustration, as well as future concerns showing that patients could not overcome a state of anxiety and fear even after successful treatment, (ii) socioeconomic consequences confronting patients with consequences on the job and in finances where they often feel helpless, and (iii) resources emphasizing the role of spirituality as a coping strategy and yoga exercises for keeping the positivity.ConclusionThis study emphasized the challenge of fracture-related infection management and associated consequences from the patients’ perspective. Not being well informed about possible negative outcomes or restrictions makes it harder for patients to accept the situation and patients expressed a need for better information and certainty. Also, patients developed constant anxiety and other psychological disturbances, highlighting the potential benefit of psychological support and patient-peer support to exchange experiences.