Missed Nursing Care Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Acute Hospitals in Ireland During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The nursing contribution to patient safety is often linked to their proximity to patients and ability to intervene when quality of care is compromised. However, the quality of nursing care provided also directly contributes to patient outcomes and is associated with increased rates of healthcare-associated infections. Aim: This study aimed to measure and compare nurses' perceptions of the frequency of and reasons for missed IPC practices in their workplaces and to examine nurses' perceptions of their ability to conduct IPC activities and their hospital capacity to support them. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional online survey of nurses in acute general hospitals (n = 113) using the Missed Nursing Care Infection Prevention and Control (MNCIPC) instrument (March 21–May 26, 2022). Study reportage was informed by the STROBE guidelines. Results: Care activities relating to hand hygiene and minimisation of hospital-acquired infections were identified as the most frequently missed infection prevention and control practices. Factors that hindered best practice occurred at systemic (staffing/resources) and environmental (patient room overcrowding/bathroom sharing) levels. Conclusion: Best practice infection prevention and control care is hampered by factors outside of individual nurse control. Unit-specific infection prevention and control training, including support staff, is recommended to help prevent hospital-acquired infections.