Research in infection control practice: A proposed collaborative model

The provision of health care services by specialist practitioners has implications for professional development particularly in relation to research skills and scholarship. Infection control practitioners (ICPs) are well placed to conduct and promote research that examines existing practices and introduces cost effective approaches to service delivery. However, there has been no coordinated approach to infection control research and ICPs undertaking research have operated in isolation, with poor infrastructure support and many cultural and organisational barriers to overcome. In the absence of a critical mass of researchers, productivity has been limited and the contribution of evidence based infection control research to clinical practice is yet to be realised. This discussion paper proposes a model that will assist ICPs to provide leadership in relation to evidenced-based research and proactively respond to clinical priorities and goals and improve clinical outcomes. From a review of available literature and drawing on experience of hospital-tertiary collaboration, a model to promote infection control research will be discussed that addresses the two key factors hindering evidence based practice - the production of high quality nursing research and the translation of research findings into practice. The proposed model includes: developing research capacity and critical mass; coordination of infection control research in health agencies to achieve strategic cross-district partnerships and brokerage processes; mechanisms for support (infrastructure, workplace education, mentorship); developing programmes of research; and sustainability. Copyright: Australian Infection Control Association 2002