Abstract
This study aimed to identify the awareness of specialized practices to facilitate infection control and influencing factors among certified expert nurses, with a focus on organizational, personal, and task- and role-related aspects of these factors. The subjects were certified expert nurses working in general hospitals with more than 500 beds, with practical experience of more than 1 year. The survey was conducted between October 2010 and September 2011. A qualitative and inductive approach was employed to analyze interview data. As a result, the factors affecting specialized practices for infection control among certified expert nurses could be classified into 3 categories: organizational, personal, and task- and role-related. Three categories were identified in relation to organizational factors: [acceptance by the head nurse on the ward], [negative effects of the organizational climate on the ward], and [the presence of someone offering support in the organization]. There were 2 categories for personal factors: [communication skills] and [motivation for role performance]. Six categories were included in task- and role-related factors: [difficulties with interventions], [relationships with doctors], [limitations in terms of personal time], [role performance as a member of the Infection Control Team (ICT)], [presence of a link nurse], and [experience as a certified expert nurse]. These categories may be used to develop support systems for certified expert nurses in infection control.
