Infection control in wound care: A study of fatalism in community nursing

• As part of a study of community nurses' perceptions of quality in nursing care, the author conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with seven community-based nurses. • As part of the study, nurses were asked to describe episodes of wound care and to discuss the factors which could affect the quality of such care. • One of the most interesting themes to emerge from the data was the apparent ambivalence of the nurses' attitudes towards infection control in wound care. • Nurses discussed the concept of 'aseptic technique' in fatalistic terms and seemed uncertain about what could be achieved in terms of infection control. • Although their policy guidelines referred to 'aseptic technique', their educational experience appeared to have made them feel uncertain about the implementation of the measures involved. • With the proviso that this was a small scale qualitative study, the author concludes by suggesting that there is a need for greater clarity, both in what is taught and in what is included in practice policy with regard to infection control in wound care. © 2000 Blackwell Science Ltd.