Oncology nurses' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to CAUTI prevention: a qualitative study guided by the nursing role effectiveness model.
5 affiliations
- 1School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. [email protected].
- 2Univ Coimbra, UICISA E, ESEUC, Coimbra, Portugal. [email protected].
- 3Univ Coimbra, UICISA E, ESEUC, Coimbra, Portugal.
- 4Nursing Research Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), School of Nursing, Universidade Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
- 5RISE-Health: Health Research Network, Nursing School of Porto University (ESEP), Porto, Portugal.
Abstract
Background
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a frequent and preventable healthcare-associated infection. Nurses play a central role in CAUTI prevention, yet barriers to consistent implementation of evidence-based practices persist. In Portugal, few studies have explored nurses' lived experiences in this area. This study aimed to explore Portuguese oncology nurses' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to CAUTI prevention, and to identify suggestions for improving urinary catheter-related care.Methods
An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with a purposive sample of eight oncology nurses from a Portuguese oncology hospital. Data were collected through a 90-minute focus group, in February 2023, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The Nursing Role Effectiveness Model informed data interpretation and theme organization.Results
Two main domains emerged: structural variables and process-related variables. Nurses identified facilitators such as continuing education, access to catheterization kits, and a positive team culture. Barriers included inconsistent material availability, gaps in supervision of delegated tasks, variability in catheterization practices, and challenges in interprofessional communication. Patient and family engagement was rarely mentioned, suggesting that CAUTI prevention was conceptualized primarily as a nurse-driven activity. Nurses valued opportunities for reflective practice and expressed interest in standardized protocols and improved documentation systems.Conclusions
Oncology nurses demonstrated strong engagement in CAUTI prevention, yet gaps remain in supervisory practices and patient involvement. Fostering reflective practice, enhancing supervisory skills, and broadening conceptions of nurse-sensitive outcomes may support more comprehensive and sustainable CAUTI prevention strategies in clinical practice.Clinical trial number
Not applicable.
Related
- A preliminary qualitative exploration of perceived barriers and facilitators prior to implementation of a pressure injury prevention program in home care: perspectives of care managers in Japan.
- Healthcare providers perceptions of barriers and facilitators to implementation of an acute traumatic brain injury clinical practice guideline: a CFIR-informed qualitative study at a regional referral hospital in Northern Tanzania
- School staff and university instructors perceptions of barriers and facilitators of whole-grain consumption among children in Thailand: qualitative findings.
- Community risk perceptions and recommendations for drowning prevention: A qualitative study across West Bengal, India
- Facilitators and Barriers to Discharge Education for Puerperal Sepsis Prevention After Caesarean Section: A Qualitative Study at a Tertiary Health Facility in Southwestern Uganda.
BibTeX
@article{paivasantos2026oncology,
title = {{Oncology nurses' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to CAUTI prevention: a qualitative study guided by the nursing role effectiveness model.}},
author = {Filipe Paiva-Santos and Paulo Santos-Costa and Luísa Teixeira-Santos and Celeste Bastos and João Graveto},
journal = {BMC nursing},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12912-026-04978-1},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902314},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Oncology nurses' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to CAUTI prevention: a qualitative study guided by the nursing role effectiveness model.
AU - Filipe Paiva-Santos
AU - Paulo Santos-Costa
AU - Luísa Teixeira-Santos
AU - Celeste Bastos
AU - João Graveto
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC nursing
DO - 10.1186/s12912-026-04978-1
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902314
AB - Background Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a frequent and preventable healthcare-associated infection. Nurses play a central role in CAUTI prevention, yet barriers to consistent implementation of evidence-based practices persist. In Portugal, few studies have explored nurses' lived experiences in this area. This study aimed to explore Portuguese oncology nurses' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to CAUTI prevention, and to identify suggestions for improving urinary catheter-related care.Methods An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with a purposive sample of eight oncology nurses from a Portuguese oncology hospital. Data were collected through a 90-minute focus group, in February 2023, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The Nursing Role Effectiveness Model informed data interpretation and theme organization.Results Two main domains emerged: structural variables and process-related variables. Nurses identified facilitators such as continuing education, access to catheterization kits, and a positive team culture. Barriers included inconsistent material availability, gaps in supervision of delegated tasks, variability in catheterization practices, and challenges in interprofessional communication. Patient and family engagement was rarely mentioned, suggesting that CAUTI prevention was conceptualized primarily as a nurse-driven activity. Nurses valued opportunities for reflective practice and expressed interest in standardized protocols and improved documentation systems.Conclusions Oncology nurses demonstrated strong engagement in CAUTI prevention, yet gaps remain in supervisory practices and patient involvement. Fostering reflective practice, enhancing supervisory skills, and broadening conceptions of nurse-sensitive outcomes may support more comprehensive and sustainable CAUTI prevention strategies in clinical practice.Clinical trial number Not applicable.
SN - 1472-6955
ER -