The Role of Infection Control Nurse in Prevention and Control of Hospital Acquired Infection in ICU

Abstract

Background: A well‑trained Infection Control Nurse (ICN) plays a crucial role in the management of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs). The primary responsibilities of an ICN include identifying, developing, and implementing best practices related to the sanitation, infection prevention, and control strategies within healthcare settings. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an ICN on supervised patient care, proper sampling techniques, and infection control in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting. Materials and Methods: A prospective, non‑randomized controlled study was conducted involving 406 ICU‑admitted patients over 6 months (October 2022 to March 2023) at a tertiary care ICU in KGMU, Lucknow, India. During the first 3 months (October 1st to December 31st), no ICN was appointed, and this group served as the control group (Group A). In the following three months (January 1st to March 31st), one trained ICN was deployed in each shift, forming the intervention group (Group B). In both groups, patients were treated following standard ICU protocols. However, in Group B, care was additionally supervised by ICNs. Blood, tracheal aspirate, and urine samples were collected from all patients for culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing. Results: The presence of an ICN significantly improved sampling techniques, leading to the notable reduction in sample contamination. Moreover, supervised patient care under ICN guidance yielded better clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Supervision by an Infection Control Nurse is vital in ICU settings for effective infection prevention, accurate sampling, and timely management, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and reducing hospital‑acquired infections or Nosocomial Infection.