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A national task analysis of infection control practitioners, 1982. Part Two: Tasks, knowledge, and abilities for
American Journal of Infection Control
|June 1, 1984
Summary
Infection Control Professionals (ICPs) rarely perform direct patient care but frequently develop policies. Essential knowledge includes microbiology and epidemiology for surveillance, though advanced statistics are seldom used.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Epidemiology
- Infection Prevention
Background:
- Hospital Infection Control Professionals (ICPs) play a vital role in preventing healthcare-associated infections.
- Understanding the scope of practice, including tasks, knowledge, and abilities, is crucial for effective infection control.
- A national survey was conducted to assess the frequency and importance of various ICP activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key tasks, knowledge, and abilities for Infection Control Professionals (ICPs) in U.S. hospitals.
- To compare the perceived importance of infection control activities with their actual frequency of performance.
- To inform certification and training standards for ICPs.
Main Methods:
- A national survey of 473 U.S. hospital Infection Control Professionals (ICPs) from a sample of 600.
- Respondents rated 175 statements on task frequency and importance, covering patient care, epidemiology, microbiology, and management.
- A "profile respondent" group (N=317) was analyzed to represent full-scope ICP practice.
Main Results:
- Direct patient care tasks (e.g., catheterization) were rarely performed by ICPs.
- Development of infection control policies and procedures was identified as a key task.
- Knowledge of microbiology and infectious diseases was essential for interpreting data, but laboratory procedures were infrequently performed.
- Epidemiologic principles were frequently used for surveillance and investigations; however, analytic statistics were rarely utilized.
- Educational needs assessment and teaching were significant components of ICP activities.
Conclusions:
- The practice of Infection Control Professionals (ICPs) emphasizes policy development and surveillance over direct patient care.
- Strong knowledge of microbiology, infectious diseases, and epidemiology is essential for ICPs, particularly for data interpretation and problem-solving.
- There is a gap between the importance of certain knowledge areas and the performance of related practical tasks, highlighting potential training needs.