Nursing staff perceptions of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and infection control in a long-term care facility.
OBJECTIVE
To assess perceptions of nursing staff regarding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), infection control (IC) and prevention strategies, barriers to IC, and IC resources.


METHODS
Cross-sectional mixed methods study.


METHODS
Atlanta Veterans Affairs (VA) long-term care facility (LTCF).


METHODS
Forty-two direct-care nursing staff employed at the LTCF during August 2006.


METHODS
Health Belief Model (HBM) guided the development of 6 focus group discussions combined with a quantitative form assessing 5 IC practices, risk perceptions, and sources of IC information.


RESULTS
Only 59% of participants perceived that MRSA posed a risk to patients. Consistency of self-reported IC practices varied by specific behavior. Lack of supplies (26%) and lack of information/communication (24%) were reported as primary barriers to IC. All participants perceived patient behavior as a barrier, and all were interested in additional education about MRSA and IC. Comparing nurses with nursing assistants (NAs), nurses more frequently reported the IC professional as the most trusted information source (60% versus 0%, P < .005); NAs were more likely to trust the charge nurse (77% versus 4%, P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the perceptions regarding the real threat of MRSA and infection transmission that would drive IC prevention behaviors in this high-risk population vary among nursing staff, as do nursing staff IC practices. This study provides insight into the complex educational and other strategies needed to implement multilevel, multidimensional IC in LTCFs.
Emory University School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA. rachel.wolf@va.gov
Rachel
R
Wolf
Donna
D
Lewis
Ronda
R
Cochran
Chesley
C
Richards
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005845:Georgia; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000821:virology; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs