Perceived Importance, Performance, Barriers, and Strategies of VRE Infection Control among Nurses in Wards with Cohort Isolation Rooms: A Mixed-methods Study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness and educational demand regarding Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) infection control among nurses in wards with cohort isolation rooms. Methods: A mixed-methods design was applied. Quantitative data were collected via structured questionnaires and data from 61 nurses and analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 23.0. An Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) was conducted. Qualitative data were collected through focus groups with 12 nurses who worked in wards with VRE cohort isolation rooms, and content analysis was conducted. Results: All items had lower performance scores than their importance scores, with significant differences. In the qualitative/descriptive analysis, the barriers to implementing VRE infection control were a lack of awareness of infection control, increased work burden, and lack of resources. Conclusion: The findings indicate that it is necessary to develop systematic education tailored to nurses in wards with cohort isolation rooms. Furthermore, adequate resource support, distinct from the general infection control practices in other wards, is necessary. This includes considering additional infection control tasks and procedures when staffing the ward, as well as supplying equipment in accordance with cohort isolation requirements.