Ethnographic study using Normalization Process Theory to understand the implementation process of infection prevention and control guidelines in Ireland

Heloise Agreli (1) , Fiona Barry (1) , Aileen Burton (1) , Sile Creedon (1) , Jonathan Drennan (1) , Dinah Gould (2) , Carl May (3) , Mp Smiddy (1) , Michael Murphy (1) , Siobhan Murphy (1) , Eileen Savage (1) , Teresa Wills (1) , Josephine Hegarty (1)

1 UCC - University College Cork
2 Cardiff University
3 LSHTM - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Objective The aim of this study was to explore how infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines are used and understood by healthcare professionals, patients and families. Design Ethnographic study with 59 hours of non-participant observation and 57 conversational interviews. Data analysis was underpinned by the Normalization Process Theory (NPT) as a theoretical framework. Setting Four hospitals in Ireland. Participants Healthcare professionals, patient and families. Results Five themes emerged through the analysis. Four themes provided evidence of the NPT elements (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring). Our findings revealed the existence of a ‘dissonance between IPC guidelines and the reality of clinical practice’ (theme 1) and ‘Challenges to legitimatize guidelines’ recommendations in practice’ (theme 3). These elements contributed to ‘Symbolic implementation of IPC guidelines’ (theme 2), which was also determined by a ‘Lack of shared reflection upon IPC practices’ (theme 4) and a clinical context of ‘Workforce fragmentation, time pressure and lack of prioritization of IPC’ (theme 5). Conclusions Our analysis identified themes that provide a comprehensive understanding of elements needed for the successful or unsuccessful implementation of IPC guidelines. Our findings suggest that implementation of IPC guidelines is regularly operationalised through the reproduction of IPC symbols, rather than through adherence to performance of the evidence-based recommendations. Our findings also provide insights into changes to make IPC guidelines that align with clinical work.

Mots clés: ethnography; Health

Domaines: Economies et finances; Gestion et management

Heloise Agreli, Fiona Barry, Aileen Burton, Sile Creedon, Jonathan Drennan, et al.. Ethnographic study using Normalization Process Theory to understand the implementation process of infection prevention and control guidelines in Ireland. BMJ Open, 2019, 9 (8), 8 p. ⟨10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029514⟩. ⟨hal-03188223⟩