Polish infection control nurses – Self-assessment of their duties and professional autonomy in different types of hospitals

Abstract

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%) to internal control, 10% (58%) to 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)

Interest in Working as an Infection Prevention and Control Nurse and Perception of This Position by Nursing Students—Results of a Pilot Study

“…IPCNs in Poland have a very limited decision-making authority, so they determine the epidemiological safety of the patient to a very small degree. It is clear from the study conducted in 2014 that IPCNs themselves assess their decision-making to be at the level of 60% [5]. In the generally accepted management theory, the effectiveness of the tasks performed in most professions is conditioned by the fact that the responsibilities imposed on/delegated to a given profession should go together with empowerment of the people who perform the given tasks.…”

“…Their responsibilities include many tasks that require collaboration with various professional groups within the hospital [3,4]. However, infection control and prevention nurses claim that they frequently experience problems in cooperation with various groups of hospital workers and that the changes that are taking place with respect to infection control are not positive [5,6]. The confirmation that cooperation with the ward personnel is particularly challenging results from the studies in the area of health-care associated infections epidemiology, suggesting that the environment in Polish hospitals is not friendly to infection control.…”

“…ICPNs estimated their influence over the implementation of individual tasks and independence of decision-making only at about 65-70%, depending on the tasks and types of activities, as well as the size of the hospital. In addition, almost half of the respondents declared that during their professional work as an epidemiological nurse, adverse changes have occurred [5]. At the same time, most of the respondents declared significant difficulties in cooperation with the medical personnel, administrative staff and the microbiological laboratory [6].…”

Polish infection control nurses’ job satisfaction and cooperation with their colleagues reflect how the value of infection control is appreciated by other health care workers: findings from surveys conducted before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The everyday work of ICNs includes collecting and analyzing infection data to make evidence-based decisions, educating health care professionals and nonmedical personnel in the field of infection prevention and control (IPC), isolating and treating infected patients to stop the spread of infectious diseases, and assisting in the development of action plans to minimize the effects of an outbreak in a hospital [ 4 ]. Attention to detail, the ability to work under pressure and excellent communication skills are of the utmost importance in this profession [ 5 ].…”