Healthcare workers experiences of caring for patients colonized with Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterale (CPE) in an acute hospital setting – A qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

Background

Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterale (CPE) is a multi-drug resistant organism, that is of growing concern within hospitals worldwide. This leads to an increased workload on healthcare workers.

Purpose

To explore the experiences of healthcare workers who care for patients colonized with CPE.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive research design. Semi-structured interviews undertaken and analysed using a thematic analysis framework resulting in the identification of four main themes.

Results

This study explores the barriers and facilitators healthcare workers encounter when caring for patients colonized with CPE and their experience of the effect that a CPE diagnosis has on the provision of patient care across four themes: education, the COVID effect, fear, and staffing/resource issues. The study is reported utilising the COREQ checklist.

Conclusion

Healthcare workers were aware of the IPC guidance and education was the main facilitator to knowledge and practice. Barriers such as poor staffing levels and the impact of COVID-19 were highlighted in relation to care provision and reducing fear associated with CPE. Healthcare workers priority is to provide safe and effective care for their patients and barriers that impact their ability to provide such care need to be addressed to ensure an optimal experience for both healthcare workers and patients.