Nursing theories and their relevance to contemporary infection control practice

Abstract

s nursing strives to be recognised as a profession the theories that underpin our practice are increasingly put under the microscope. Nursing theory and its relevance to clinical practice has long been a subject of controversy. Indeed, a lack of agreement in the professional literature serves to confuse nurses and has caused many to dismiss nursing theory as being long-winded and irrelevant to everyday practice. Such nonchalance can have far-reaching effects on the quality of patient care provided within hospital settings, particularly in matters pertinent to the control of healthcare-associated infection. This article examines these theories and identifies just how relevant they are to modern day infection control practice.