Browsing by Author "Hoes, Maureen Shirley"

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    Factors influencing Nurses’ decisions and actions when applying standard precautions for infection prevention in a private hospital in Namibia
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Hoes, Maureen Shirley; Bell, Janet; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Nursing & Midwifery.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are considered a leading risk factor for patients and healthcare workers in healthcare environments (Haile, Engeda & Abdo, 2017:1). Both nurses and patients are exposed to infections that use various transmission modes, including droplets, contact and airborne transmission (Haile et al., 2017:1). Standard Precautions for infection prevention and control (IPC) must form part of nursing activities to break the chain of infections and to manage and reduce HAIs. The increase in the number of HAIs occurring among patients means that nurses should comply with Standard Precautions to protect themselves and the patients. However, research shows that there are a number of factors that influence nurses when they have to implement Standard Precautions while engaged in nursing practice Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the contextual factors that influence nurses' decisions and actions with respect to applying Standard Precautions as part of their nursing practice. This was done in a Namibian private healthcare setting with the goal of informing IPC training and strategies in an effort to facilitate nurses' consistent and correct application of Standard Precautions at the study site. Methodology: The study used a qualitative approach with a descriptive study design. Participants contributed data during three focus group discussions where discussion was stimulated with semi-structured open-ended questions as triggers. The study sample was drawn from the population of nurses (registered nurse/midwife and enrolled nurses) working at the study site in November 2017. A thematic analysis guided by Boyatzi’s approach was used to analyse the narrative data. Findings: Four broad themes emerged from the data. These themes and their accompanying sub-themes referred to the healthcare giver’s knowledge of Standard Precautions, stumbling blocks, factors that help and Reinforcing Behaviour Change.