Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery Journal
Volume 16, Issue 1 (1-2026)
Prev Care Nurs Midwifery J 2026, 16(1): 56-63 |
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Rostamnia L, Ghanbari V, Cheraghbeigy N, Veisimankali M, Mozaffari M. The Impact of Nursing Students as Case-finders on the Reporting Rate of Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Prev Care Nurs Midwifery J 2026; 16 (1) :56-63
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-995-en.html
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-995-en.html
Leili Rostamnia 
, Vahid Ghanbari * , Nesa Cheraghbeigy , Mohmmadjavad Veisimankali , Mandana Mozaffari
, Vahid Ghanbari * , Nesa Cheraghbeigy , Mohmmadjavad Veisimankali , Mandana Mozaffari
Prehospital Emergency Care Department, School of Paramedic, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran , vahid.gh13@gmail.com
Abstract: (101 Views)
Background: Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) case finding and reporting remains a major surveillance challenge. Innovative methods could improve infection prevention programs.
Objectives: This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of involving nursing internship students in HAI case finding and reporting at Taleghani Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: Ninety nursing internship students were selected by convenience sampling to report HAI signs while providing care in general, neurosurgical, and orthopedic wards. The intervention occurred during the first semester of the 2020–2021 academic year. HAIs were reported using the Hospital Infection Detection Form. Student reports were compared with routine nurse reports. HAI counts during the intervention were also compared with pre- and post-intervention periods. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and Poisson regression in SPSS 24.
Results: No significant differences were found between student-reported and nurse-reported urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, or total HAIs (p > 0.05). Reported HAIs were 12 pre-interventions, increased to 49 during intervention, and declined to 14 post-interventions. The HAI incidence rate per 1,000 patient-days was 4.62 pre-intervention, 16.44 during intervention, and 5.56 post-intervention (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Nursing student involvement in case finding significantly increased reported HAIs, suggesting a cost-effective approach to enhance early detection and reporting. Further research is needed to strengthen evidence supporting nursing student participation in HAI case finding.
Objectives: This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of involving nursing internship students in HAI case finding and reporting at Taleghani Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: Ninety nursing internship students were selected by convenience sampling to report HAI signs while providing care in general, neurosurgical, and orthopedic wards. The intervention occurred during the first semester of the 2020–2021 academic year. HAIs were reported using the Hospital Infection Detection Form. Student reports were compared with routine nurse reports. HAI counts during the intervention were also compared with pre- and post-intervention periods. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and Poisson regression in SPSS 24.
Results: No significant differences were found between student-reported and nurse-reported urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, or total HAIs (p > 0.05). Reported HAIs were 12 pre-interventions, increased to 49 during intervention, and declined to 14 post-interventions. The HAI incidence rate per 1,000 patient-days was 4.62 pre-intervention, 16.44 during intervention, and 5.56 post-intervention (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Nursing student involvement in case finding significantly increased reported HAIs, suggesting a cost-effective approach to enhance early detection and reporting. Further research is needed to strengthen evidence supporting nursing student participation in HAI case finding.
Keywords: Infection Prevention and Control, Healthcare-Associated Infection, Surgical Site Infections, Urinary Tract Infection, Case Finding, Nursing Students
Type of Study: Orginal research |
Subject:
Nursing
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