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Abstract
Objective The 2019–2020 outbreak of novel coronavirus has raised concerns about nosocomial transmission. This review’s aim was to explore the existing literature on emerging infectious disease outbreaks to identify factors associated with compliance with infection control measures among healthcare staff.
Methods A rapid evidence review for primary studies relevant to healthcare workers’ compliance with infection control measures.
Results Fifty-six papers were reviewed. Staff working in emergency or intensive care settings or with contact with confirmed cases appeared more likely to comply with recommendations. There was some evidence that anxiety and concern about the risk of infection were more associated with compliance, and that monitoring from superiors could improve compliance. Observed non-compliance of colleagues could hinder compliance. Staff identified many barriers to compliance related to personal protective equipment, including availability, perceived difficulty and effectiveness, inconvenience, discomfort and a negative impact on patient care. There were many issues regarding the communication and ease of understanding of infection control guidance.
Conclusion We recommend provision of training and education tailored for different occupational roles within the healthcare setting, managerial staff ‘leading by example’, ensuring adequate resources for infection control and timely provision of practical evidence-based infection control guidelines.
- COVID-19
- public health
- infection control
Data availability statement
No data are available. No original data were generated for this study.
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Data availability statement
No data are available. No original data were generated for this study.
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Footnotes
Contributors GJR conceived the work. SB conducted the literature search and screened search results for inclusion, and GJR, NG and SW resolved any queries about inclusion. All authors contributed to the qualitative results synthesis, prepared the first draft of the manuscript and approved the final manuscript.
Funding The research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Emergency Preparedness and Response at King’s College London in partnership with Public Health England (PHE), in collaboration with the University of East Anglia (funding reference: NIHR200890).
Disclaimer The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, the Department of Health and Social Care, or Public Health England. The funder had no involvement in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of data, writing the report or decision to submit for publication.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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