An infection control nurse-advisor program.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Epidemiology
• Infection Control

Background:

• Healthcare-associated infections remain a significant concern in acute-care facilities.
• Enhancing nursing staff's awareness of infection prevention and control is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, implement, and evaluate a program aimed at increasing awareness of infection prevention and control in nursing practice.
• To assess the effectiveness of a nurse-advisor model in promoting infection control knowledge and practices.

Main Methods:

• A nurse-advisor program was implemented in a 100-bed acute-care facility.
• Registered nurses volunteered as nurse-advisors for 4-month periods to serve as unit resources, monitor practices, educate peers, and identify infection issues.
• Data were collected over a 2-year period, with 22 nurses participating.

Main Results:

• The nurse-advisor program involved all areas of the nursing department.
• Descriptive analysis over 2 years indicated the program's effectiveness.
• A significant increase in awareness of infection prevention and control was observed among nursing staff.

Conclusions:

• The nurse-advisor program is an effective strategy for enhancing infection prevention and control awareness in nursing practice.
• This model can be utilized to improve nursing practice and potentially reduce infection rates.
• Continued implementation and evaluation of such programs are recommended for sustained improvements in healthcare settings.