Build your own infection control link nurse:an innovative study day

doi:10.1053/jhin.2001.1016

Journal of Hospital Infection

Volume 48, Issue 4, August 2001, Pages 312-319

https://doi.org/10.1053/jhin.2001.1016 Get rights and content

Abstract

Infection control is everyone's business and it is important that all members of staff observe good infection control practice. An effective infection control link nurse system has been shown to support and develop this approach. The strength of ward-based infection control link nurses depends upon their effectiveness as role models and their ability to influence practice on their wards and beyond. In addition, the degree of respect they command from their peers and colleagues and the amount and quality of knowledge they possess is crucial.

This paper describes an innovative approach taken in Mid-Essex, which allowed infection control link nurses to assess their capabilities and limitations in communicating with and influencing colleagues. In addition, we show how quantitative measures may be made available by this approach. Such measures may be used to explain to management how particular areas of infection control practice (e.g. the need for infection control link nurses to have more authority and more 'muscle') may be important.

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Cited by (15)

Strategies to promote infection prevention and control in acute care hospitals with the help of infection control link nurses: A systematic literature review
2018, American Journal of Infection Control
Citation Excerpt :
Two articles matched category B—positive and negative strategies for the strengthening of an ICLN system12,22—and 2 articles matched category C—positive and negative strategies found by analysis of an existing ICLN system.5,8 The content-related analysis of the publications included in this review suggested 6 subcategories for which strategies, facilitators, and barriers could be found: mode of selection of ICLN candidates,4-6,15,21 characteristics of ICLNs,5,6,11,15,21 responsibilities of ICLNs,4-6,11,15,17,21 composition of a curriculum for ICLN training,4-6,11,15,21 educational strategies for ICLN training,4-6,11,12,15,17,21,22 and external factors influencing the success of ICLNs.4-6,8,15,17,21 See Tables 1-3 for results of each category and subcategory.
Infection control link nurses (ICLNs) are important backup personnel for the prevention and control of infections in hospitals. To identify facilitators and barriers for the implementation of and long-term collaboration with ICLNs.
We conducted a systematic literature review, following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria were defined as description of de novo implementation of an ICLN system, strengthening of an existing ICLN system, or analysis of an ICLN system.
In 10 publications, facilitators and barriers were identified for mode of selection of ICLN candidates, characteristics and responsibilities of ICLNs, composition of a training curriculum, educational strategies, and external influencing factors. Experienced nurses with an interest in infection control seemed appropriate candidates. The importance of psychological skills in addition to technical knowledge was emphasized. A clear definition of responsibilities was important. Viable tasks for ICLNs included surveillance and teaching activities and the implementation of prevention measures. Ongoing teaching was superior to a single course. Management support was pivotal for success.
Research on ICLNs is scarce. The potential to decrease health care-associated infections with the help of ICLNs has been demonstrated. The training in psychological skills in addition to technical knowledge deserves more attention.
Working practices and success of infection prevention and control teams: A scoping study
2015, Journal of Hospital Infection
Citation Excerpt :
Where intermediaries are used, considerable reliance appears to be placed on their contribution, with little attempt to measure success formally. As the link nurse role was originally conceived, post-holders were members of the ward team with particular interest in IPC, and were offered in-house training with a remit to liaise between the core IPC team and clinical colleagues.8,28 Their role was to promote adherence to guidelines, identify local problems, and to undertake limited surveillance.
Little research has been undertaken on how infection prevention and control (IPC) teams operate and how their effectiveness is assessed. This review aimed to explore how IPC teams embed IPC throughout hospitals, balance outbreak management with strategic aspects of IPC work (e.g. education), and how IPC team performance is measured. A scoping exercise was performed combining literature searches, evidence synthesis, and intelligence from expert advisers. Eleven publications were identified. One paper quantified how IPC nurses spend their time, two described daily activities of IPC teams, five described initiatives to embed IPC across organizations following legislation since 1999 in the UK or changes in the delivery of healthcare, and three explored the contribution of IPC intermediaries (link nurses and champions). Eight publications reported research findings. The others reported how IPC teams are embedding IPC practice in UK hospitals. In conclusion, there is scope for research to explore different models of IPC team-working and effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness. Other topics that need addressing are the willingness and ability of ward staff to assume increased responsibility for IPC and the effectiveness of intermediaries.
Successful implementation of a unit-based quality nurse to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections
2014, American Journal of Infection Control
Central line (CL)-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are an important cause of patient morbidity and mortality. Novel strategies to prevent CLABSI are needed.
We described a quasiexperimental study to examine the effect of the presence of a unit-based quality nurse (UQN) dedicated to perform patient safety and infection control activities with a focus on CLABSI prevention in a surgical intensive care unit (SICU).
From July 2008 to March 2012, there were 3,257 SICU admissions; CL utilization ratio was 0.74 (18,193 CL-days/24,576 patient-days). The UQN program began in July 2010; the nurse was present for 30% (193/518) of the days of the intervention period of July 2010 to March 2012. The average CLABSI rate was 5.0 per 1,000 CL-days before the intervention and 1.5 after the intervention and decreased by 5.1% (P = .005) for each additional 1% of days of the month that the UQN was present, even after adjusting for CLABSI rates in other adult intensive care units, time, severity of illness, and Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program participation (5.1%, P = .004). Approximately 11.4 CLABSIs were prevented.
The presence of a UQN dedicated to perform infection control activities may be an effective strategy for CLABSI reduction.
Qualitative evaluation and economic estimates of an infection control champions program
2014, American Journal of Infection Control
In many North American hospitals, conventional infection control operational models often struggle to provide sufficient support to frontline health care workers. The objective of this study was to describe a sustainable infection control champion (ICC) program based on findings from focus groups.
A distributed model of infection control was established by placing infection prevention and control–trained ICCs in 3 Canadian hospitals for a period of 12 months. Subsequently, semistructured focus groups were conducted to describe overall feasibility and impeding and critical factors affecting sustainability. An economic estimate of the ICC program compared with the cost of hiring a new infection control practitioner was also calculated.
Focus group participants considered the program feasible. Barriers included lack of time and staff turnover. Themes critical for the successful implementation of an ICC program included defined ICC roles and goals, adequate support and resources for the ICC, engagement with all levels of staff, flexible structure, and program evaluation. The cost per bed of the ICC program was less than the cost per bed of hiring a new infection control practitioner.
A distributed model of providing infection prevention and control services may have benefit when hospital infection control teams are underresourced, as is often the case. Several key factors are needed for the successful implementation of an ICC program.
The role of infection control link nurse
2003, Journal of Hospital Infection
Link nurses act as a link between their own clinical area and the infection control team. Their role is to increase awareness of infection control issues in their ward and motivate staff to improve practice. It is essential that they receive training from the infection control team to ensure their competence. They have been shown to be of value to Trusts by improving clinical ward audit scores, helping infection control nurses implement policies and collecting data on hospital-acquired infections. In some hospitals, however, there are operational difficulties for link nurse schemes including high turnover of staff and insufficient time for training and monitoring their effectiveness.
Role perception of infection control link nurses; a multi-centre qualitative study
2022, Journal of Infection Prevention

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Short ReportsBuild your own infection control link nurse:an innovative study day

Abstract

J Hosp Infect

Am J Infect Control

Am J Infect Control

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Short Reports
Build your own infection control link nurse:an innovative study day