Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of infection control in radiation therapy departments

Radiation therapists are front-line workers with a duty of care to treat cancer patients with various health conditions, including those who are immunocompromised. Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are essential to protect patients, yet they are largely underexplored in radiation therapy departments. This study aimed to attain a baseline regarding IPC knowledge sources, support, and training in radiation therapy departments, as well as to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of staff within these departments. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to staff in radiation therapy departments across Australia. The survey covered demographics, workplace staffing and culture, and KAP questions. Data was analysed descriptively, and KAP scores were analysed using Spearman's correlation. Additional open-ended questions were used to identify common challenges to adhering to IPC practices. Overall, 58 staff members working in radiation therapy completed the survey. The majority were radiation therapists, but nurses (n = 4) and magnetic resonance radiographers (n = 2) also took part. A third of participants were from rural hospitals, and two-thirds of participants had more than 10 years of experience. Participants demonstrated high knowledge of infection control and reported positive attitudes towards IPC practices. However, despite strong knowledge levels, there were some inconsistencies in practice, with the frequency of IPC practices needing improvement. The main challenge in adhering to correct IPC practices was poor communication, particularly when caring for patients with infectious diseases. Overall, participants had supportive structures in place at their workplaces to help them adhere to proper IPC practices.