Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a scientific evidence-based approach and feasible solution designed to prevent harm caused by infection to healthcare users and workers (National Department of Health 2020a, 2020b. Preventing harm to health workers, patients and visitors because of infection in healthcare facilities is fundamental to achieving quality care, patient safety, health security and the reduction of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The prevention of harm can only be achieved by implementing the IPC programme with clear policies, guidelines and measures. The IPC measures include standard precaution (SP), transmission-based precautions, building environment, material and equipment for IPC, surveillance of HAIs, antimicrobial stewardship, outbreak response, reporting of notifiable medical conditions and education and training of staff and monitoring and evaluation (National Department of Health 2020a).The effective implementation of the IPC measures requires the use of multimodal strategies (MMSs), which involve the engagement of various stakeholders with clear allocated responsibilities to ensure commitment and sustainability. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified elements of MMS towards ensuring that the IPC is practised throughout the health system as follows: (1) availability of the appropriate infrastructure and supplies to enable the implementation of IPC, (2) education and training of health workers and key role-players, (3) monitoring the infrastructure, practices, processes, outcomes and providing feedback, (4) reminders and communication of improvements in the workplace and (5) culture change within the health facility or the strengthening of a safety climate (National Department of Health 2020a & 2020b; WHO 2016).Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes were introduced to combat healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance and to facilitate the implementation of IPC measures. The implementation of policies and guidelines results in effective service delivery. Aim:The purpose of the study was to explore nurses' experiences and perceptions regarding the impediments to implementing the IPC measures. Setting:The study was conducted in three public hospitals in Gauteng Province, South Africa.Methods: A qualitative exploratory design was used, and 49 nurses were purposively selected from three public hospitals to understand their experiences and perceptions regarding the impediments to implementing the IPC measures. Five focus group discussions were conducted using semi-structured interviews. Tesch's eight steps method was used to analyse data resulting in three main themes and seven sub-themes.Results: Three main themes emerged. Nurses experienced challenges regarding knowledge and attitudes towards IPC measures, inadequate hospital infrastructure and lack of management support. Conclusion:The lack of infection prevention control knowledge, infrastructure and management support impede the implementation...
Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of a nurse-facilitated-cognitive-group (NFCG) intervention as an adjunct to antidepressant medication, in mild to moderately, depressed women. Method: This was a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent, control group design study. A sample of 30 consenting participants was selected from an urban, community psychiatric clinic, and the participants were randomly allocated to the control and the intervention groups. The effectiveness of the intervention was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: After six weeks of implementation of the NFCG intervention, there was a decrease in the BDI scores of the intervention group, and an increase in the BDI scores in the control group (CG) -but the difference in scores was not significant (Student's t-test=1.076, p=0.291). After 12 weeks of the group intervention, the BDI scores for the intervention group, showed a considerable reduction in their levels of depression, whilst the participants of the control group had a further increase in their scores. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups, with respect to the BDI scores (p<0.001). The Friedman test indicated that the mean BDI scores, were statistically significant (p<0.001) within the intervention group, meaning that the BDI scores improved, at the end of the intervention for all the participants. Analysis of the BDI scores, using the Friedman test, showed that there was no improvement in the control group (p=0.597). Conclusion: The NFCG intervention, as an adjunct to antidepressant medication, contributed to a reduction in depressive symptoms.
Background: Preparedness is key in terms of the healthcare system capacity to react appropriately to an outbreak of any infectious disease in epidemic proportion. Following the Ebola viral disease outbreak that started in West Africa around 2014, which subsequently spread to the DR Congo, with high mortality rates largely attributed to unpreparedness among the healthcare workers, the need for getting all stakeholders involved in healthcare services to be prepared for possible disease outbreaks can never be overemphasized and has since been recognized in many countries including South Africa. This study was conducted to describe the knowledge, attitude and preparedness of healthcare workers towards a possible outbreak of Ebola viral disease at a large private health institution in Pretoria. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires among a conveniently sampled 150 healthcare workers at a large private hospital. A total of 133 valid questionnaires were collected (response rate = 89%). The data was analyzed with SPSS and results presented using percentages, proportions, and frequency tables. Results: The finding revealed more female (93%) than male, modal age-group was 31-40yr (37%), and most were African (89%). The perceived lack clinical experts who could manage EVD and the fear of contracting the disease were the main concerns of these health professionals. Majority of the participants demonstrated only basic knowledge of EVD but acknowledged the readiness of the nation’s health system to deal with any outbreaks. Conclusion: The participants’ insufficient understanding of some aspects of the EVD showed the gaps in their knowledge and the apparent unpreparedness for possible Ebola outbreaks. Therefore, there is need for further education and training among the healthcare workers about how EVD is transmitted and the appropriate measures of disease control and prevention applicable to Ebola virus disease.
This research aims to explore the ineffective management practices on infection prevention and control by nurses in a public hospital. This was done through focus groups with nurses from different public hospitals in Tshwane area. Participants expressed that there are ineffective management practices in their working environment in the form of inadequate education, training on infection and control measures, shortage of human and material resources and poor communication that is affecting the implementation of infection prevention and control measures in the hospital. Results: Most nurses have been found to have attended an hour to a day IPC training, which they alluded has no impact to their implementation as is too short. Study also found that institutions where nursing qualifications was obtained has significant impact to implementation of IPC measures. There was an agreement that continuous training on IPC related issues improve in practice and confidence to nurses Study also found that the presence of well-trained nurse is vital in the ward, however the ward has to meet other aspects such as staffing, skill mix, resources and working conditions. Best practices that also involve behaviour changes were found to be successful in intervention to improve implementation of IPC measure. Ongoing feedback and full training on IPC were found significant to improve IPC measures
This research aims to explore the ineffective management practices on infection prevention and control by nurses in a public hospital. This was done through focus groups with nurses from different public hospitals in Tshwane area. Participants expressed that there are ineffective management practices in their working environment in the form of inadequate education, training on infection and control measures, shortage of human and material resources, and poor communication that is affecting the implementation of infection prevention and control measures in the hospital. Results: Most nurses have been found to have attended an hour to a day IPC training, which they alluded has no impact to their implementation as is too short. The study also found that institutions, where nursing qualifications were obtained, have a significant impact to the implementation of IPC measures. There was an agreement that continuous training on IPC related issues improve in practice and confidence to nurses The study also found that the presence of well-trained nurses is vital in the ward, however, the ward has to meet other aspects such as staffing, skill mix, resources and working conditions. Best practices that also involve behaviour changes were found to be successful in intervention to improve the implementation of IPC measures. Ongoing feedback and full training on IPC were found significant to improve IPC measures.
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