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. 2025 Mar;54(2):210-218.
doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2024.10.001. Epub 2024 Nov 7.

Nurse Perceptions of Barriers to Infection Prevention and Control in Labor and Delivery

Laura E Anderson, Katelyn A White, Ronda L Cochran, Kiran M Perkins

Nurse Perceptions of Barriers to Infection Prevention and Control in Labor and Delivery

Laura E Anderson et al. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To identify nurse perceptions of barriers to performing recommended infection prevention and control practices in labor and delivery to inform future resources tailored to this setting.

Design: Qualitative focus groups.

Setting: The 2023 annual convention of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, New Orleans, LA.

Participants: A convenience sample of 16 labor and delivery nurses.

Methods: Staff of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted two focus groups using a standardized script. Coding was performed by three reviewers using Krueger's systematic analysis process.

Results: Among the 16 participants, 94% were registered nurses, and 6% were advanced practice registered nurses. From our analysis of the data, five major themes emerged, including the following: Lack of Individual and Organizational Accountability in Implementing Recommended Infection Prevention and Control Practices; Inconsistent Application of Guidance Across State, Hospital, and Specialty; The Unpredictable Nature of the Labor and Delivery Setting; Labor and Delivery Is Not Prioritized in the Hospital for Infection Prevention and Control Resources; and Lack of Coordination Across Stages of Care From Prenatal to Postpartum.

Conclusion(s): We identified barriers experienced by nurses to consistently implementing infection prevention and control practices in the labor and delivery setting. These barriers can be addressed through targeted interventions and the development of obstetric-specific infection prevention and control resources.

Keywords: hospital obstetrics and gynecology department; infection control; obstetric nursing; perinatal nursing; public health; qualitative; quality improvement.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest The authors report no conflicts of interest or relevant financial relationships. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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