Resource allocation: The main problem in infection control in intensive care units of hospitals

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Nosocomial infections, especially those occurring in intensive care units (ICUs), are one of the major healthproblems in every community. Nosocomial infections are associated with increased mortality rate and high treatment costs. Effectivecontrol of these infections essentially depends on the knowledge of healthcare providers regarding the detection and eradication of theassociated causes. This study aimed to investigate the main challenges involved in the prevention and control of nosocomial infectionsin hospital ICUs.Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was conducted on 21 healthcare providers selected via purposive sampling fromvarious medical subgroups, including anesthesiologist, nursing managers, supervisors, faculty members, head nurses, and hospitalmanagers. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with the participants. Data analysis was performed using qualitativeconventional content analysis.Results: In total, four main themes were emerged from conventional content analysis, as follows: 1) complex nature of work in theICU; 2) lack of knowledge of healthcare providers; 3) inadequate equipment and resources and 4) human resource shortage.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, appropriate resource allocation, improvement of organizational health structures,and competency of healthcare personnel in hospital ICUs could be remarkably effective in the prevention, control and reduction ofnosocomial infections.