The relationship between components of the biosafety incident response competence for clinical nursing staff: a network analysis

Abstract

Background Nowadays, the threat to biosafety is widespread and persistent, which poses a serious threat to the life of all mankind. One crucial step in addressing the biosafety issue is defining the clinical nursing staff’s competence in biosafety incident response. However, network analysis studies of the relationship between components of the biosafety incident response competence for clinical nurses are lacking. Purpose In order to better and more precisely assist clinical nurses in improving their biosafety incident response ability and countering biosafety threats, the present study investigated the network structure of components of the biosafety incident response competence. Methods A total of 4338 clinical nurses were enrolled in our study from September to November 2023. Biosafety coping skills in nursing staff were evaluated with the biosafety incident response competence scale designed by research team. Network analyses were used for the statistical analysis. Results P4 “Master the correct collection methods of blood culture samples and nasopharyngeal swabs from patients with biological infection”, M3 “Possess the ability to assess the harm of pathogenic microorganisms”, D5 “Master the key points of medical record management and record of patients with biological infection” and K5 “Be familiar with the concept of antimicrobial resistance and the use of antimicrobials” have the highest expected influences in the present network. In the community of biosafety infection protection abilities, P4 “Master the correct collection methods of blood culture samples and nasopharyngeal swabs from patients with biological infection” has the highest bridge expected influence. In the community of biosafety event monitoring and warning abilities, M4 “Understand the main points and requirements of detection and screening of pathogenic microorganisms and drug-resistant bacteria” has the highest bridge expected influence. And in the community of biosafety knowledge preparedness, D8 “Possess the ability to properly transport and evacuate bio-infected patients”, K1 “Be familiar with biosafety incidents involving paramedics that require paramedic involvement” has the highest bridge expected influence. Conclusion Complex patterns of associations existed in the relationship between components of the biosafety incident response competence for clinical nursing staff. From the perspective of network analysis, P4, M3, D5 and K5 have the highest expected influence, indicating their highest importance in the network. P4, M4, D8 and K1 have the highest bridge expected influence, indicating they have the strongest connections with the other 3 communities. These results have important implications for clinical practice, which provided potential targets for interventions to improve the ability of nursing staff to deal with biosafety events.