Establishment of quality control index system for healthcare-associated infection management in neonatal specialty hospital

Abstract:

Objective To establish a quantifiable quality control index system for infection management in neonatal specialty hospitals for the comprehensive evaluation of neonatal healthcare-associated infection (HAI) management quality, and to promote the continuous enhancement and improvement of neonatal HAI management quality. Methods The framework of the index system was preliminarily established through literature research and focus group discussion, the indexes were repeatedly screened using Delphi expert consultation approach, and the weights of each index were determined using the analytic hierarchy process. The empirical study of the established index system was conducted using TOPSIS method and rank sum ratio method. Results Three rounds of expert consultation were conducted, and the effective response rate of the questionnaire was 100%. The authoritative coefficient of the third round of expert consultation was 0.89, and the Kendall’s coefficient of concordance for expert opinion was 0.322. The established index system included 3 first-level indexes, 6 second-level indexes, and 16 third-level indexes. Thirteen of third-level indexes could be directly obtained from the hospital information system. Conclusion The quality control index system for neonatal HAI management established in this study is relatively scientific, with rational weights and all quantifiable indexes. It can be used for vertical and horizontal evaluations of neonatal HAI management quality, providing a reference for the continuous improvement of neonatal HAI management work.