Roles of Infection Control Nurses in Regional Hospitals
Thamolwan Kananitaya MNS*, Wilawan Senarat MSc**, Wanchai Moongtui PhD**, Warapot Tantisiriwat MD***, Somwang Danchaivijitr MD****
Affiliation : *Phen Hospital, Udon Thani, **Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, ***Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vachira Hospital, Srinagarindviroj University, Bangkok, ****Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objectives : To evaluate the roles of infection control nurses (ICNs) in regional hospitals and to detect prob-
lems, obstacles in practice and needs for support.
Materials and Methods : A descriptive study by interview and questionnaire survey of 16 ICNs from regional
hospitals appling for HA.
Results : From February to April 2002, a study by interview and questionnaires was done in 16 ICNs from 10
regional hospitals applying for HA. Most of the ICNs practised IC roles according to HA criteria except for
hospital employee health, NI surveillance and research. The major problems and obstacles included the lack
of IC positions, inadequate ICNs, lack of support from hospital administrative personnel, too heavy work
load, lack of : IC experts, budget for IC, equipment, IC research data and education material.
Conclusion : The present study suggested that roles of ICNs in hospital employee health, NI surveillance and
research were inadequate because of the lack of full time ICNs, too heavy a work load, lack of : IC consultants
supply and administrative support.
Keywords : Roles, Infection control nurses, Regional hospitals
