Structure, staffing, and factors affecting infection control nurses: Hospital based exploratory survey- A study protocol.

Aim: The overall aim of the study is to develop a module for the structure, staffing, job responsibilities, training and workflow for the hospital Infection Control Department.

Design: An exploratory research design in two phases. Phase 1: Hospital based exploratory survey design. Phase 2: Delphi technique with Focus Group Discussion.

Method: Data will be collected through interviewing Infection Control Nurses (ICNs) or infection control in-charge using Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF) released by World Health Organization (WHO) in the first phase and Delphi technique in the second phase to determine the problems and solutions for the concerns pertaining to the ICNs. The study is funded by Indian Council of Medical Research from 15 October 2019 for 3 years duration.

Discussion: Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) affects the care quality of millions of people around the globe. Many researchers have explored the evidence for causes and measures to contain infection. However, there are hardly few researches from the perspective to structure, staffing pattern and factors affecting ICNs. As staffing is considered as a vital component in infection prevention, there is a necessity for optimization to reduce the global burden related to HAI.

Impact: This protocol on Structure, staffing, and factors affecting ICN will provide insight into developing strategy, policy or educational module for the ICNs across the country.

Trial Registration: The trial is registered with Central Trial Registry of India (CTRI) with reference ID: CTRI/2020/07/026286.