Difficulties Encountered by Infection Control Nurses

Introduction: This study was performed to evaluate the difficulties encountered during infection control practice by infection control nurses and to propose possible solutions. Materials and Methods: The sampling of the survey included 115 infection control nurses working in community, private and university hospitals in Istanbul with more than 50-bed capacities. Data regarding sociodemographic and professional features, difficulties encountered in their work and proposed solutions were collected via a questionnaire consisting of 19 questions and results were evaluated with statistical tests. Results: The mean age of the infection control nurses was 33 (± 5.99). Half of them had baccalaureate and master’s and doctorate’s degree(s). 43.4% of the infection control nurses had been performing this duty for 1 year or less and 44.3% of them had an extra duty. As the education level of the nurses increased, the extra duties decreased. 98.3% of the nurses stated that they liked their job and 44.3% reported having job satisfaction. 42% of nurses had difficulties in doing surveillance, 44% had difficulties in communication with the doctors and 72% stated that they experienced more satisfaction in their work when they worked more independently. Nurses wanted health care workers to have a more serious attitude towards infection control, an increase in the scientific literature, a decrease in workload, and a raise in income. Conclusion: It is believed that organizing occupational and scientific thematic courses and preparing a periodical publication about the work of infection control nurses would be highly beneficial towards minimizing the difficulties they face in the conduct of their duties