The Effect of Nurses’ Awareness of Infection Control Measures on Patient and Family Education

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are among the most common adverse events in healthcare settings worldwide. Infection control (IC) is one of the most effective interventions to prevent HAIs. Thus, we aimed in this thesis to determine the level of IC awareness among nurses, assess patient and family members’ education on IC measures from different perspectives, explore the reasons that might prevent nurses from educating their patients and family members on IC, and determine the effect of nurses’ awareness of IC on implementing patient and family education. The study used a multisite, cross-sectional design among seven hospitals in Hungary. Two validated questionnaires were used to collect data from nurses, patients and family members. The results revealed a high percentage of patient and family education on IC. The highest percentages of education were on respiratory hygiene, HAIs, and hand hygiene (HH). Nurses had high scores of IC overall and standard precautions awareness as well as low scores of HAI and HH awareness. Concerning patient and family education on IC from the nurses’ perspective, nurses educated patients and family members the most on HH and respiratory hygiene. Education on other measures was low. Nurses’ shortages, time limits, and stress were the most common barriers to patient education, as stated by nurses. Nurses with high IC awareness educated patients and family members more than those with low awareness; however, the results were only significant when educating on respiratory hygiene and the reason for isolation. The study concludes that even with regular IC training in hospitals, gaps have been identified in the awareness of nurses. This underscores the need for creating standardized communication plans to disseminate essential information to nurses in a timely and organized manner. Concerning patient and family education on IC, it might be enhanced by improving nurses’ awareness of IC, and at the management level by building and enhancing the culture that is based on the partnership between nurses and their patients.