title: Credentialing of Australian and New Zealand infection control professionals: An exploratory study.
abstract: Despite evidence from overseas that certification and credentialing of infection control professionals (ICPs) is important to patient outcomes, there are no standardized requirements for the education and preparation of ICPs in Australia. A credentialing process (now managed by the Australasian College of Infection Prevention and Control) has been in existence since 2000; however, no evaluation has occurred.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional study design was used to identify the perceived barriers to credentialing and the characteristics of credentialed ICPs.
  
  
  
  There were 300 responses received; 45 (15%) of participants were credentialed. Noncredentialed ICPs identified barriers to credentialing as no employer requirement and no associated remuneration. Generally credentialed ICPs were more likely to hold higher degrees and have more infection control experience than their noncredentialed colleagues.
  
  
  
  The credentialing process itself may assist in supporting ICP development by providing an opportunity for reflection and feedback from peer review. Further, the process may assist ICPs in being flexible and adaptable to the challenging and ever-changing environment that is infection control.
authors.affiliation: Infection Control, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Deborough
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacBeth
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Halton
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, Dickson, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.affiliation: Avondale College of Higher Education, Wahroonga, NSW, Australia; Australian Catholic University, Dickson, ACT, Australia. Electronic address: brett.mitchell@avondale.edu.au.
authors.forename: Brett G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003406:Credentialing; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D016357:Infection Control Practitioners; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Credentialing; capability; certification; competence; professional