Infection control link nurses in acute care hospitals: a scoping review

Background

Involving link nurses in infection prevention and control is a strategy to improve clinical practice that has been implemented in hospitals worldwide. However, little is known about the use, the range and benefits of this strategy. We aimed to identify key concepts of infection control link nurses (ICLN) and ICLN programs, to evaluate the effect of such programs, and to identify gaps in the evidence base.

Methods

In a scoping review, we searched PubMed, CINAHL, Google and Google Scholar for manuscripts on ICLN in acute care hospitals. We included research- and opinion-based papers, abstracts, reports and guidelines.

Results

We included 29 publications and identified three key concepts: the profile of ICLN, strategies to support ICLN, and the implementation of ICLN programs. The majority of included studies delineates the ICLN profile with accompanying roles, tasks and strategies to support ICLN, without a thorough evaluation of the implementation process or effects. Few studies report on the effect of ICLN programs in terms of patient outcomes or guideline adherence, with positive short term effects.

Conclusion

This scoping review reveals a lack of robust evidence on the effectiveness of ICLN programs. Current best practice for an ICLN program includes a clear description of the ICLN profile, education on infection prevention topics as well as training in implementation skills, and support from the management at the ward and hospital level. Future research is needed to evaluate the effects of ICLN on clinical practice and to further develop ICLN programs for maximal impact.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13756-019-0476-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mobile working: positively engaging community nurses

Mobile working refers to a practitioner's ability to access information systems and applications while 'on the move'. This relatively new concept has yielded a number of benefits, including the ability to access patients' electronic records in real time and a reduction in travelling time for clinicians, thereby improving efficiency within community nursing practice. For a change in practice to be successful, it is necessary to ensure that the proposals are discussed with the staff group implementing them and that appropriate help and support are provided during the period of transition. Maintaining engagement with community nursing teams may be challenging due to increasing workloads and limited resources, potentially affecting health professionals' ability to attend workshops and associated events. Considering the specific needs of the workforce requires consideration and planning, including provision of additional support for members of staff who may lack confidence in working with mobile devices.