Roles of infection control nurses in provincial hospitals.
OBJECTIVE
To study the roles of infection control nurses (ICNs) in provincial hospitals.


METHODS
Interview using a semi-structured interview form.


RESULTS
Nine hospitals were enrolled by stratified sampling and 11 ICNs were included. Interview was done by the researcher during April and May 2002. All ICNs were female and in middle-aged group. Their mean experience in IC was 6.4 +/- 4.5 years. All ICNs could perform their duties according the roles set by the Department of Nursing in surveillance, personnel health, education, consultation, administration and quality improvement. Only about one half had experience in outbreak investigation and research. The commonest problems were excessive workload, lack of co-operation of medical personnel and lack of budget for immunization.


CONCLUSIONS
All sampled ICNs in provincial hospitals performed their roles except only one half were involved in outbreak investigation and research.
Leela
Rachadaporn
R
Ponesai Hospital, Roi Et.
Chittreecheur
Jittaporn
J
Moongtui
Wanchai
W
Buppanharan
Wanchai
W
Danchaivijitr
Somwang
S
D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016357:Infection Control Practitioners; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007587:Job Description; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D016134:Organizational Policy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013785:Thailand