There has been limited research into the individual, social, and environmental factors for infection risk among patients in the home healthcare (HHC) setting, where the infection is a leading cause of hospitalisation. The aims of this study were to (1) explore nurse perceptions of individual, social, and environmental factors for infection risk among HHC patients; and (2) identify the frequency of environmental barriers to infection prevention and control in HHC. Data were collected in 2017–2018 and included qualitative interviews with HHC nurses (n = 50) and structured observations of nurse visits to patients' homes (n = 400). Thematic analyses of interviews with nurses suggested they perceived infection risk among patients as being influenced by knowledge of and attitudes towards infection prevention and engagement in hygiene practices, receipt of support from informal caregivers and nurse interventions aimed at cultivating infection control knowledge and practices, and the home environment. Statistical analyses of observation checklists revealed nurses encountered an average of 1.7 environmental barriers upon each home visit. Frequent environmental barriers observed during visits to HHC patients included clutter (39.5%), poor lighting (38.8%), dirtiness (28.5%), and pets (17.2%). Additional research is needed to clarify inter‐relationships among these factors and identify strategies for addressing each as part of a comprehensive infection control program in HHC.

中文翻译：

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家庭保健患者感染风险的个人、社会和环境因素：一项多方法研究


对于家庭医疗保健 (HHC) 环境中患者感染风险的个人、社会和环境因素的研究有限，在家庭医疗保健 (HHC) 环境中，感染是导致住院的主要原因。本研究的目的是 (1) 探讨护士对 HHC 患者感染风险的个人、社会和环境因素的看法； (2) 确定 HHC 中感染预防和控制的环境障碍的频率。数据收集于 2017 年至 2018 年，包括对 HHC 护士的定性访谈 ( n = 50) 以及对护士探访患者家中的结构化观察 ( n = 400)。对护士访谈的主题分析表明，他们认为患者的感染风险受到以下因素的影响：对感染预防的知识和态度以及卫生习惯的参与、获得非正式护理人员的支持以及旨在培养感染控制知识和实践的护士干预措施以及家居环境。对观察清单的统计分析显示，护士每次家访时平均会遇到 1.7 个环境障碍。在拜访 HHC 患者期间观察到的常见环境障碍包括杂乱（39.5%）、照明不良（38.8%）、肮脏（28.5%）和宠物（17.2%）。需要进行更多研究来阐明这些因素之间的相互关系，并确定解决每个因素的策略，作为 HHC 综合感染控制计划的一部分。