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Barriers and bridges to infection prevention and control: results of a qualitative case study of a Netherlands' surgical unit.

ABSTRACT: The objectives of the study are to observe the overall work environment including infection prevention and control (IP&C) practices on the target surgical unit; to analyse the policies and procedures in the hospital and unit environments; to analyse the barriers and bridges to IP&C that practitioners identify in visual narratives of their unit environment and to collect monthly specific IP&C-related anonymised data.In this qualitative case study analysis, a socio-ecological approach on health systems informed the research design and provided a framework to better understand the complexity of implementing effective IP&C.The study was conducted on a surgical unit at a Netherlands' hospital that reported successful reductions in the prevalence of targeted multidrug-resistant organisms.Research methods included unit observations (n=3), review of relevant policies and procedures, five practitioner-led photo walkabouts of the unit (n=7), three photo elicitation focus groups with practitioners (n=13) and the review of related IP&C data.The findings indicate some conditions and processes present that may influence the low prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms, including the 'search and destroy' active surveillance strategy, low occupancy rates, a centralised bed cleaning system and the presence of an active grass roots Hygiene in Practice group, which engages practitioners in several ongoing activities to promote IP&C on the units.Further research on the benefits of practitioner-led community of practices on IP&C practices such as the Hygiene in Practice group is also recommended. Additional case studies to compare theses practices with other acute care hospital around the world would be a valuable way to better understand what IP&C programmes are most effective in which contexts and for what reasons. Further data are available by contacting the primary author directly.

SUBMITTER: Backman C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3298832 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Barriers and bridges to infection prevention and control: results of a qualitative case study of a Netherlands' surgical unit.

Backman Chantal C Marck Patricia B PB Krogman Naomi N Taylor Geoff G Sales Anne A Bonten Marc J M MJ Gigengack-Baars Ada C M AC

BMJ open 20120307 2

<h4>Objectives</h4>The objectives of the study are to observe the overall work environment including infection prevention and control (IP&C) practices on the target surgical unit; to analyse the policies and procedures in the hospital and unit environments; to analyse the barriers and bridges to IP&C that practitioners identify in visual narratives of their unit environment and to collect monthly specific IP&C-related anonymised data.<h4>Design</h4>In this qualitative case study analysis, a soci ...[more]

PMID: 22397818

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Barriers and bridges to infection prevention and control: results of a qualitative case study of a Netherlands' surgical unit.

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Barriers and bridges to infection prevention and control: results of a qualitative case study of a Netherlands' surgical unit.

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