Health care professionals' perceptions and knowledge of infection control practices in a community hospital

As hospital-acquired infections increase, it is essential that infection control practitioners and hospital administrators have an understanding of the perceptions and knowledge of health care providers as they relate to infection control practices. This article describes the use of the Health Belief Model, a theory-based model used to predict health-related behaviors, in assessing hospital clinical professionals' perceptions and knowledge of infection control practices and summarizes findings from an exploratory study conducted in a community hospital. A total of 130 providers within a hospital setting completed a 51-item survey instrument. The scores for the 6 Health Belief Model constructs show variation, with perceived severity, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy rated higher than perceived susceptibility and cues to action. Knowledge on hand hygiene practices was limited. Providers did not identify any perceived barriers or possible cues to action to increase the likelihood of engaging in proper infection control practices. The constructs of perceived susceptibility and cues to action show a need for improvement by determining appropriate cues for this workforce and addressing susceptibility of workers. These findings can be used by administrators and infection control practitioners to develop and disseminate educational and other interventions to increase compliance with infection control protocols.