How do interdisciplinary practitioners conceptualize infection control in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic?

AIM: During the recent global pandemic, nursing home (NH) residents were among the most vulnerable, yet empirical insights into how practitioners conceptualized and implemented infection control in NHs were limited. This study aimed to explore the ways in which interdisciplinary NH practitioners understood and conceptualized infection control in response to emerging infectious diseases and to identify a structural framework derived from their perceptions. DESIGN: A qualitative phenomenographic research design was employed. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 interdisciplinary practitioners from three NHs. Data were analyzed using the seven-step phenomenographic approach. RESULTS: Two overarching categories were identified: "assessments based on vulnerability" and "interventions focused on prevention," each consisting of sub-categories that reflected practitioners' ways of understanding infection control. A hierarchical outcome space was developed to illustrate the dynamic and cyclical nature of infection control in NHs. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the need for a proactive, interdisciplinary approach tailored to the unique environment of NHs. This framework may guide future educational initiatives and provide a practical reference for training new practitioners lacking pandemic experience.