Developing a core competency framework for infection control link nurses in general hospitals in China: A modified Delphi study.

BACKGROUND

As a pivotal link bridging clinical units and the infection control department, the infection control link nurse plays a critical role in the prevention and management of healthcare-associated infections. However, the core competency requirements for this role have not been clearly defined.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop a core competency framework tailored to infection control link nurses in Chinese general hospitals.

DESIGN

A modified Delphi study based on a literature review.

SETTINGS: General hospitals in China.

METHODS

This study first conducted a literature review to develop an initial pool of competency indicators. A panel of 23 experts then participated in two rounds of modified Delphi consultation to revise and refine the preliminary framework. Expert authority was assessed using the expert authority coefficient. Consensus was evaluated using the mean importance score, coefficient of variation, percent agreement, and Kendall's coefficient of concordance.

RESULTS

The literature review identified 18 documents published between 2008 and 2023, from which an initial framework of 141 indicators was developed. After two rounds of Delphi consultation, experts reached consensus on a final framework comprising 5 domains, 19 subdomains, and 75 indicators. The domains of infection prevention and control knowledge and skills received the highest mean importance scores. In the second round, mean importance scores ranged from 4.04 to 4.96, coefficients of variation from 0.04 to 0.20, and percent agreement from 82% to 100%. Kendall's coefficients of concordance ranged from 0.156 to 0.175 across the domain, subdomain, and indicator levels (all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study clarified the core competency requirements of infection control link nurses, providing a foundation for the development of competency-based training programs for this role.