Unknown phenomena: a study of infection control practices in the community setting

Abstract

Traditionally, providers of health care in the community have relied on infection control guidance developed for the acute care environment. The extension of health care from hospital-based to community settings has changed the roles and responsibilities of, and risks for, health-care workers in community settings. This paper reports on one aspect - current infection control practices - of an exploratory study on support, practices and the clinical activities of health-care workers in the community setting in Queensland. Data was collected from 267 participants employed in six organisations at 26 locations throughout the state. A questionnaire, 'The Infection Control Project Survey (1997)', was developed for the study. Results identified the infection control practices of health-care workers in community organisations, including hand-cleaning processes, instrument maintenance and waste management. Results from the study contributed to the development of a set of standards for infection control practice in the community setting.