Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.
This is a mixed methods study, comprising both qualitative and quantitative data. The aim of this study was to determine how risk associated with infections and the control of infectious diseases were managed and distributed in the NHS quasi market, the specific objectives were: 1. to evaluate the effectiveness of formal contracts, regulations and informal practices relating to risks of infection and the likely effectiveness of these clauses; 2. to consider how agency relationships within professional and managerial systems affect the implementation of programmes to reduce risk and cope with outbreaks of infections; 3. to consider how contracting agents perceive risks associated with infectious disease and the values placed on risk avoidance practices compared with preventive practices; 4. to consider how risk, financial, social and psychological, are distributed amongst NHS agencies, other agencies, patients and families; to consider how initial allocation of risk in the contracting process affects the eventual distribution of this burden; and consider attempts to pool risks. Objectives 1-3 were achieved in full. In objective four, distribution of risks amongst NHS agencies and budgets arising from unforeseen events and allocation of risks in contracts is addressed. But risks to patients and their families was not possible due to logistical difficulties and resistance from Trusts to approaching infected patients. The objective was revised to include a survey of all outbreaks reported six months following site visits.
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The project took place between 1997-1999. The methods included in-depth interviews at five case study sites; telephone surveys of outbreaks in the six months following the site interviews; and a national postal survey. We do not hold the raw data for the telephone survey at the UK Data Archive, but there is a summary of the results in the documentation. Case studies - The case studies examined the arrangements for managing the risks of infectious disease in five health districts. A purposive sampling technique was used to select sites that included large conurbations and county towns; and district general hospitals and specialist teaching hospitals. The data set contains transcripts or notes from 35 interviews. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted between November 1997 - November 1998 with Consultants in Communicable Disease Control (CsCDC) and Directors of Public Health (DsPH) in health authorities, Infection Control Doctors (ICDs) and Infection Control Nurses (ICNs) in Trusts, and financial officers (or others with a major role in contracting). National Survey - A survey of all CsCDC, ICDs and ICNs in England was conducted. Questionnaires, based on the interviews at the study sites, were designed for each professional group. The data set includes a data file, containing numeric responses, and a text file containing qualitative responses, for each professional group.
No sampling was done for the national postal survey. Five case study sites were purposively selected.
Face-to-face interview
Postal survey
