Roles of infection control nurses in Royal Thai Army hospitals.

Objective: To study the performance according to the assigned roles of infection control nurses (ICNs) in Royal Thai Army hospitals.

Material And Method: Interviewing ICNs in 6 hospitals.

Results: During April and May 2002, 11 ICNs in 6 hospitals were interviewed. Two hospitals had been accredited and 4 were applying for hospital accreditation. Full-time ICNs were identified in 5 and part-time in 6. The ICNs were graduated with bachelor and master degrees in 5 and 6 respectively. Two ICNs graduated with master degree in IC. All could perform their roles in administration, education, surveillance, personnel health, consultation and quality improvement. Only 7 ICNs had experience in outbreak investigation. None were principle investigators in research except for their master degrees. The main problem was the absence of ICNs posts in all except 1 hospital.

Conclusion: Infection control nurses in Royal Thai Army hospitals in the present study could perform their roles according to assignment except involvement in outbreak investigation in some and in research as the principle investigators in all.