Obstacles and challenges affecting compliance with infection prevention guidelines in the emergency department

Abstract

Emergency departments (EDs) play a pivotal role in infection prevention and control, serving as the initial point of contact for patients accessing healthcare services. The ED is often characterized by a high concentration of vulnerable individuals, including those facing mental health crises, within a context that is increasingly stressed, unsafe, and overworked. Healthcare professionals in these settings strive to deliver quality care despite systemic resource limitations, which leads to burnout and a high turnover rate among qualified clinicians. The study aims at researching data about what challenges nurses face in preven ng infec ons in the emergency department. A literature review was conducted across Pubmed, Cinhal and Medline scientific databases using Boolean search terms. A total of 12 articles were included after screening the results through the evaluation criteria. Three main categories were found after thoroughly analysing the research articles selected: Stress and workload, Organizational factors and Education. This literature review effectively addresses the significant challenges faced by nurses in emergency departments (EDs) that hinder adherence to infec on preven on protocols. Analysing 12 articles, the review highlights that failure to maintain aseptic techniques during procedures is a prevalent issue, driven largely by the high-stress, fast-paced environment typical of Eds. In addition to these well-documented issues, the review reveals other critical challenges, such as inadequate training, insufficient disinfection of work utensils, and unrealistic guidelines. These factors collectively contribute to vulnerabilities in infection prevention efforts within EDs.