ORIGINAL PAPER
Polish infection control nurses – Self-assessment of their duties and professional
autonomy in different types of hospitals
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1
State Higher Vocational School, Tarnów, Poland (Health Department)
2
Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland (Faculty of Medicine, Chair of Microbiology)
3
Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Kraków University, Poland (Faculty of Medicine and Health)
Online publication date: 2018-11-23
Corresponding author
Anna Różańska
Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Chair of Microbiology,
Czysta 18, 31-121 Kraków, Poland
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2018;69(6):605-12
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ABSTRACT
Background: The objective of the study is self-assessment of Polish infection control nurses (ICNs) in terms of the structure of
professional tasks and autonomy of decision-making. Material and Methods: A questionnaire survey was filled out by 208 ICNs
(around 21% of all Polish ICNs) in 15 provinces located in Poland. The research encompassed ICNs surveillance healthcare-associated
infections (HAIs) in 2014. Results: The work time that ICNs devote to professional tasks and decision autonomy on the scale
of 1–100% was as follows: 34% (67% of decision autonomy) was dedicated to detecting and registering HAIs, 12% (71%) – internal
control, 10% (58%) – devising and implementing infection prevention practices, 10% (68%) – staff trainings, 8% (65%) – identification
and study of outbreaks, 7% (58%) – promoting hand hygiene, 6% (51%) – consults with infected patients, 4% (57%) – consults
on decontamination, 4% (54%) – consults on maintaining cleanliness, 3% (51%) – isolation and application of personal protective
measures, 2% – other tasks. Infection prevention and control nurses estimated, on average, that their autonomy of decisions
concerning the professional tasks performed amounted to 60%. Conclusions: Infection control nurses in Poland have
difficulty in achieving balance between tasks they perform and the authority they exercise. The ICN professional task structure is
dominated by duties associated with monitoring hospital infections, however, the greatest decision autonomy is visible regarding
internal control. Decision-making concentrated on internal control may hinder building a positive image of an ICN. We should
strive to firmly establish professional tasks and rights of ICNs in legislation concerning performing the duties of a nurse and
midwife. Med Pr 2018;69(6):605–612