Lessons Learned Regarding the Role of Infection Control Nurses in the COVID-19 Pandemic at Secondary and Tertiary Hospitals in Thailand: Content Analysis

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic infection control nurses (ICN) played a vital role in helping prevent
and control the spread the disease. This qualitative research was conducted to identify the lessons that
could be learned from the COVID-19 situation regarding the roles of the ICNs working at secondary and
tertiary care settings in the 10th Public Health Region in northeastern Thailand. This study was support as
a subset of the study on nursing workforce management and competencies for secondary and tertiary care
during the covid-19 crisis in Health Region 10. The key informants were 20 ICNs, from 20 different
hospitals. The data were collected during October 2021 - April 2022 using in-depth interviews with
semi-structured interview questions; and were analysed by using content analysis. As for the findings,
the study discovered four additional major roles of ICNs in addition to their well-known roles regarding
the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19 spread within health care facilities. These vital roles were:
(1) assuming the position of the primary figure or commander in developing effective infection control
measures within the constraints of the limited resources available, including staffing, budget, and medical
supplies, within their hospitals; (2) participating in the restructuring of limited resources which were
available to ensure the hospital could function as optimally a possible even when faced with insufficient
resources; (3) providing comprehensive and intensive COVID-19-related education and training to
promote multi-disciplinary health professionals’ knowledge and essential skills to foster a high standard of
care, and support the staff’s abilities work collaboratively as a multidisciplinary team; and (4) engaging
in the reformation of their hospitals’ infection control policies. The findings of the study indicated that IC
nurses should be provided training to develop strategies, obtain and expand the related knowledge, skills
required for preparing for handling emerging disease crisis situations which mught occur in the future as well
as the need to increase the number of ICNs, provide sufficient appropriate personal protective equipment,
empowering ICNs and support their continuing education and training, and appointing the ICNs as
members of the hospitals’ infection control reform committees.