1. Infection Control Link Nurses A different educational approach to a familiar concept.
Tracey Cooper
Consultant Nurse Infection Control
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust

2. Background ‘Inherited’ link nurse group Some staff ‘told’ to be ICLN
Short meetings monthly
Role not defined
Objectives not defined
Difficult to identify positive impact of role
Tracey Cooper

3. Current Evidence? Little published objective evidence
Subjective benefits identified
Improved awareness
Higher profile for infection control
Measurable objectives described by 1 study
(Ching & Seto 1990)
Tracey Cooper

4. Traditional ICLN Model
No input to programme by ICLN’s
ICN sets content
Little networking
Follows traditional educational model
..a bit of a dinosaur!
Tracey Cooper

5. Educational Theory……. Traditional model Adult Learning
Students passive recipients of information
No control over content, method
Based upon knowledge of how children learn
Adult Learning
Adults learn differently
Need control over content, methods
Must be relevant
Tracey Cooper

6. …....Into Practice Role description, application process
Quarterly, half-day meetings
Facilitation of change-management skills
Group selection of primary topic for action
Agreement on plan for the year
Tracey Cooper

7. The Plan Baseline audit Analysis & feedback Practice interventions
Re-audit
Supported by ICNS
Tracey Cooper

8. Research Studies 3 inter-related studies
Link Nurses knowledge and attitudes
Measurable practice improvement
Link nurses experience
Tracey Cooper

9. Study 1: Knowledge & Attitudes
Pre & post questionnaires administered
Attitudes: very positive throughout
Knowledge
Significantly improved at end of study
Lowest scores at start improved the most
BUT: Small sample size (n=10)
Tracey Cooper

10. Study 2: Practice Improvement
Handwashing facilities chosen
Audit tool developed using Delphi method
Self-administered
Analysis by ICT & feedback to ICLN
Practice interventions by ICLN
Audit intervention re-audit
Tracey Cooper

11. Study 2: Measurable Outcomes
Comparative data: 222 sinks in 14 areas
10 of the 11 standards showed:
Significant improvement
Improvements were associated with the study period (p 0.05)
Tracey Cooper

12. Study 3: Experiences ICLN need to challenge poor practice Confidence
Skills
Empowerment
Traditional model did not facilitate this
Focus group used to gather data
Phenomenology: The Lived Experience
Tracey Cooper

13. Study 3: Themes Experience of application process
Effect of the educational programme
Authority, influence & empowerment
Support & facilitation of the role
Barriers to effectiveness
Quality & practice improvement
Tracey Cooper

14. Empowered Practice?
‘I always looked around to see what was going on but I wouldn’t have challenged them quite the same. Now you say – this is my role, this is what I’m trying to do.’
Tracey Cooper

15. Conclusions There appears to have been knowledge improvement
Practice improvement has been demonstrated
This approach has had a positive impact on the ability of ICLN’s to deliver practice improvement
Further studies are required, building upon this
Tracey Cooper

16. Can This Be Used Elsewhere?
Repeat in other organisations?
‘Pick n Mix’
Utilise structure for practice improvement
Involve ICLN’s in planning programme
Tracey Cooper

17. And Finally……………. Link Nurses can make a difference to practice
It is possible to demonstrate this objectively
AND
A link nurse programme can make a positive difference to the Link Nurses
Tracey Cooper

18. Work Supported By:
Isle of Wight
Healthcare NHS Trust
Tracey Cooper