Competency standards in the context of infection control

Background: To ensure quality patient care and enhance career development, competency levels of infection control professionals (ICPs) need to be iden tified and strengthened so that high standards of practice are established and maintained, Objective: The purpose of this study was to apply a modified version of Ben ner's (1984) "Novice to Expert" model of skill acquisition to levels of com petency and to seek to measure practices of the specialist practitioner in the context of infection control. Method: A self-administered questionnaire was developed and mailed to 464 m embers of the Infection Control Association, New South Wales (NSW) Inc, Aus tralia. Results: Seventeen percent of respondents reported full-time infection cont rol responsibilities, 78% part time, and 5% unknown. The sample comprised 4 groups of ICPs. The largest groups were registered nurses, representing 37 % of total respondents and "Other health care professionals" representing 3 5%. Forty-nine percent of the sample had completed a basic or advanced infe ction control certificate course, 21% had completed a bachelor of nursing o r health science degree, and 21% had completed other studies not related to the specialty. Key findings of this study indicated that the clinical nurs e consultant group rated their individual levels of skills and knowledge as proficient (competent). Although a small percentage from this group had co mpleted higher level education, years of service within the specialty contr ibuted to an increase in competent performance. This was also applicable to the other groups studied. Conclusion: The findings highlighted the need for a framework to be develop ed on which to build a model to measure and reflect progression of infectio n control competence at the beginner, advanced beginner, competent, and exp ert levels. Continuing education as a means of achieving competence needs t o be further developed, maintained, and nurtured so that the ICP can acquir e appropriate specialty knowledge and skills.