Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/44860
Title: | Communicating infection control information at St. Luke's Hospital: doctors' and nurses' views |
Authors: | Farrugia, Claire |
Keywords: | Infection control Medical personnel Communication Hospital infections |
Issue Date: | 2007 |
Citation: | Farrugia C. (2007). Communicating infection control information at St. Luke's Hospital: doctors' and nurses' views (Master's dissertation). |
Abstract: | Infections in hospitals are a problem for health services around the world and are receiving considerable political and media attention. Many factors contribute to the increase in healthcare associated infection rates. The purpose of this study was to explore doctors' and nurses' views regarding the communication of infection control information at S1. Luke's Hospital. This study utilised an exploratory descriptive research design to determine what infection control information nurses and doctors are receiving, from which sources and through which channels and what their requirements and preferences are. Furthermore, the strengths and weaknesses in communication with the infection control team were explored. Data was collected from a disproportional stratified random sample of nurses (n=143) and doctors (n=63) working on inpatients wards within the hospital. A self administered questionnaire formulated by the researcher was used to collect data. Validity and reliability testing of the tool were performed. A response rate of 97.1 % was obtained. Qualitative data was analysed through content analysis while quantitative data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. These findings indicated that nurses and doctors require information on a regular basis. Despite some variations between grades, the frequency of communication initiated by respondents is generally low. This study revealed a poor flow of information from the infection control team to nurses and doctors. Respondents desire significantly more information on all infection control topics than they are currently receiving. Most staff gather information through immediate colleagues while simultaneously wishing for much greater communication through face-to-face contact with the infection control team. These findings indicated that respondents feel comfortable to receive information from members of the same profession but there are barriers in information sharing between professions. Although information is shared among colleagues, few clarify what they heard thus increasing the possibility of relying on inaccurate information. Infection control policies and guidelines were identified as a preferred source of information. Respondents indicated different channel preferences for receiving information, but revealed the need for more infection control information from different channels. This suggests the use of multiple channels to send any information. However electronic channels were the least preferred. Accessibility to a computer system and the regular use of intranet and email was found to be low. The results indicated that the sole support of the immediate senior is not always viewed able to influence compliance. Several weaknesses and strengths and ways for improvement were highlighted. The results highlighted several management implications and a number of recommendations were identified. The implementation of a communication strategy to disseminate infection control information appears to be needed. A carefully planned ongoing educational programme on key issues for different staff would meet the respondents' needs. The introduction of infection control link nurses could be a way of disseminating information informally among ward based staff. Creating informal network structures to facilitate knowledge sharing across professions and clinical areas is thus recommended. |
Description: | M.SC.HEALTH SERVICES MANGT. |
URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/44860 |
Appears in Collections: | Dissertations - FacHSc - 2007 Dissertations - FacHScHSM - 2007 |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Farrugia_Claire_Communicating infection control information at St.Luke_s hospital-doctors_ and nurses_ views.pdf Restricted Access | 18.34 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open Request a copy |
Items in OAR@UM are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.