Promoting health workers' ownership of infection prevention and control: using Normalization Process Theory as an...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Infection Control
• Public Health

Background:

• Healthcare workers' responsibility for infection prevention and control (IPC) is crucial.
• UK healthcare-associated infections have reduced, but success factors remain unclear.
• Understanding IPC strategies is vital due to rising antimicrobial resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an action plan enhancing IPC and accountability in a healthcare organization.
• To understand how the IPC action plan operated using Normalization Process Theory (NPT).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, independent evaluation of an IPC action plan.
• Inductive analysis of data from 20 purposively selected informants.
• Application of Normalization Process Theory (NPT) for interpretation.

Main Results:

• Informants understood IPC ownership, requiring vigilance, information access, and collaborative learning.
• NPT elements (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, reflexive monitoring) were evidenced.
• Workload was a barrier; clear communication and expectations were facilitators.

Conclusions:

• The IPC ownership action plan led to continuous service improvement and reduced infection rates.
• NPT helps explain the success of IPC initiatives by identifying factors for routine incorporation.
• This approach can inform future IPC strategy implementation.