Nurses' Views on Infection Control in Long-Term Care Facilities in South Korea: A Focus Group Study

Abstract

Purpose: Nurses' infection prevention and control responsibilities have been emphasized owing to the increasing infection rate in long-term care facilities in South Korea. The aim of this study was to explore nurses' perspectives on challenging situations and the areas of improvement related to their role in infection management. Methods: An exploratory descriptive qualitative study was conducted with a purposive sample of 15 nursing staff from five long-term care facilities. A focus group interview with semi-structured questions was conducted between January and May 2017. The study participants' discussions were analyzed using conventional content analysis with line-by-line coding. Results: The participants discussed the breadth of challenges interfering with their ability to provide optimal infection care, from practical human resource management issues to organizational and environmental barriers, and laid a foundation based on which lacking areas can be improved. The analysis produced key themes centered on healthcare personnel-related professionalism, professional role boundaries, daily workflow and management, interdisciplinary collaboration, standards and protocols, and technological infrastructure. Conclusion: Although participants expressed negative feelings toward the constraints in long-term care facilities, they demonstrated the willingness to create a positive change and offered suggestions for improvement and support to improve resident safety and care management. Therefore, special attention should be paid to nurses' perspectives on their work and roles regarding infection control practices and supporting them with available sources.

Beyond the control of the care home: A meta‐ethnography of qualitative studies of Infection Prevention and Control in residential and nursing homes for older people

“…Some were focused on specific IPC practices (such as isolation, 30 vaccination, 26 antimicrobial management, 29,36 gown and glove use 33 or hand hygiene 34 ). Others had a more generic focus on IPC practice 9,31,35,37 …”

“…In terms of explaining IPC practice, the studies largely distinguished between nurses and nursing assistants; between care home staff and medical staff or services; between residents and their staff carers; or between care staff and other staff not involved in face‐to‐face personal care. A few studies appeared to perceive that poor IPC practice was due to subordinate and poorly paid staff 9,28,33,35 . Although the use of such staff appeared ubiquitous across the studies, it appears as an essential reality of current nursing and residential care home provision.…”

“…A few studies appeared to perceive that poor IPC practice was due to subordinate and poorly paid staff. 9 , 28 , 33 , 35 Although the use of such staff appeared ubiquitous across the studies, it appears as an essential reality of current nursing and residential care home provision.…”

“…Others had a more generic focus on IPC practice. 9,31,35,37 They were broadly acceptable at quality of reporting assessment, with one considered excellent 34 and one borderline unacceptable. 6…”

Challenges being Faced by the Elderly People in Accessing Health Services in Beni-Suef University Hospital

“…Social services: health care services tailored to the requirements of the aged, with a focus on chronic disease; nutrition; proper physical activity; and a weight-control program for the elderly are among the requirements of the aged. It also included the need for women's elderly to get comprehensive, accessible, and cost-effective health care services; the need for happiness; various education needs for a healthy lifestyle; economic needs; and emotional support needs for women's elderly; the most important elderly needs studied were financial needs, health care services with a focus on chronic disease, and the need for social services (9).…”