Development of core competencies for infection prevention and control

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Nursing
• Infection Control

Background:

• The Infection Control Nurses Association (ICNA) recognized the need for a standardized method to assess practitioner competence.
• Previous editions of the framework were published in two parts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the evolution of the ICNA's infection prevention and control competency framework.
• To provide a model for other specialist groups developing professional competencies.
• To outline the current and future applications of the framework for ICNA member accreditation.

Main Methods:

• Document analysis of the ICNA's competency framework development process.
• Review of the framework's implementation and proposed future uses.

Main Results:

• The ICNA successfully integrated its competencies into a comprehensive assessment framework.
• The framework has been utilized for professional development and has potential for accreditation.

Conclusions:

• The developed competency framework is a robust tool for infection prevention and control practitioners.
• The process and framework offer valuable insights for other professional bodies seeking to establish competency standards.