Abstract
NICU healthcare workers have high knowledge of and belief in the usefulness of gloves to prevent the spread of infection. Although infection control measures are positively implemented, it is reported that the healthcare-associated infection rate in NICUs is high. This study aimed to clarify obstacles to the use of gloves and behavior related to the use of gloves to prevent infections, in order to obtain suggestions for new infection control measures concerning glove use in NICUs. Group interviews on glove use were conducted with physicians and nurses working at NICUs in four medical facilities in Japan, using Discovery and Action Dialogues (DADs). The qualitative data were extracted and categorized according to the following themes : obstacles to wearing gloves, a person who helps them overcome the obstacles to wearing gloves, and good practices for glove use. The DADs yielded eight categories on practices for the appropriate use of gloves, including hand hygiene from the fingertips through the elbow, methods to touch the buttons of medical devices, methods to access gloves and hand disinfectants, and environmental improvement to foster hand hygiene. To overcome the obstacles to using gloves, various measures regarding the way to use gloves and to maintain hand hygiene were exhibited at the individual level. However, further analysis is necessary to clarify the effectiveness of these measures. It was also found that infection control was supported by the involvement of the surrounding people in the NICU, indicating the importance of building a favorable relationship with others.
