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Infection control nurse: a national survey
Author(s) -
Quattrin R.,
Pecile A,
Conzut L,
Majori S,
Brusaferro S
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2834.2004.00447.x
Subject(s) - infection control , medicine , nursing management , pillar , nursing , family medicine , intensive care medicine , structural engineering , engineering
Aim To study presence and activity of Infection Control Nurses (ICN) in Italian National Health System (NHS) hospitals. Background Infection Control Nurses play an essential and evidence‐based role for optimal infrastructure and essential activities of infection control and epidemiology programmes in hospitals. Methods A survey of all Italian NHS hospitals ( N = 529). Hospital health directors were asked to complete a questionnaire with a specific section on ICN presence, activities and roles played. Response rate was 87.5% (463 of 529). Results More than 50% of hospitals (250 of 463) have an ICN: 25% (116 of 463) have at least one part‐time employed ICN and 23.3% (108 of 250) have at least one ICN employed full‐time. Infection Control Nurses are more common in hospitals with >250 beds ( P < 0.01). Infection Control Nurses working in hospitals with >250 beds are highly active in surveillance activities, personnel education and management of study groups ( P < 0.01). Conclusions In Italian NHS hospitals ICNs have yet to become pillar figures in hospital infection control.