Understanding health professionals' infection control practices in the acute care setting [ 2006 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Aileen Plant (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Rochelle Watkins ,  Prof Dianne Wynaden ,  Prof Robert Donovan

Brief description Health-care acquired infections have a considerable personal, social and economic impact in Australia, and better understanding of the causes of these infections is necessary. Failure by health professionals to follow infection control recommendations has important consequences in terms of the personal risk of acquiring an infection as well as the risk of infection transmission to patients. In Australia surgical site infections alone are estimated to cost as much as 268 million dollars a year. Health-care acquired infections are associated with poorer health outcomes, a greater probability of prolonged hospital stays, greater re-hospitalisation rates, and significant reductions in health related quality of life. In this qualitative study we will use grounded theory and a comparative analysis strategy. We will initially identify participants sampled from health professionals employed in the acute care setting at a major teaching hospital in Perth, Western Australia. We will seek representation of a range of health professionals recruited from multiple occupational groups, including doctors, nurses and paramedical staff who have direct patient contact in the study sample. Sampling will also aim to recruit participants from a number of different acute care areas within the hospital, and staff with a range of individual characteristics, experiences and beliefs. We will interview a range of health care workers in order to explore their experiences of engagement in infection control practices and the factors influencing these experiences. We aim to develop a substantive theory that explains health professionals' engagement in high-risk infection control practices in the acute care setting. This will have implications for current understandings of the factors influencing adherence to recommended infection control practices, current theoretical perspectives which guide infection control practice, and strategies used to promote compliance with recommended practices.

Funding Amount $AUD 151,196.90

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant