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The Use of Infographics to Inform Infection Prevention and Control Nursing Practice: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

PMCID: PMC12652311

PMID:

Abstract

Background : Healthcare-associated infections surveillance is a cornerstone of infection prevention and control, essential for guiding effective program implementation. Timely and clear dissemination of surveillance data is critical to inform decision-making and improve clinical practice. However, traditional lengthy reports are often overlooked due to time constraints among healthcare professionals. To address this, a secondary hospital introduced infographics as a concise and visually engaging method to communicate healthcare-associated infections surveillance data, aiming to enhance feedback and promote more impactful communication. This study explores infection prevention and control link nurses’ perspectives on using infographics to disseminate healthcare-associated infections surveillance data. Methodology : A descriptive qualitative design was employed, using semi-structured individual interviews conducted with thirteen purposively selected participants. Narrative data were analyzed using Bardin’s content analysis methodology. Results : Three key themes emerged as follows: Data awareness; infographic use; and team engagement. Participants emphasized that infographics simplified complex data, improved accessibility, and fostered team engagement. When integrated into educational and clinical workflows, infographics were perceived as effective tools for promoting reflection and supporting a culture of continuous quality improvement. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that infographics offer a promising approach to enhance communication of surveillance data. Their use may support informed decision-making and contribute to improved infection prevention and control practices.

Full Text

Surveillance of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)—infections acquired during care that were neither present nor incubating at admission—is a cornerstone of infection prevention and control (IPC) programs, aimed at improving clinical practice and reducing avoidable infections [1]. It involves the systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of healthcare data to inform IPC strategies [2]. Timely feedback of surveillance findings to all stakeholders is essential [1], yet its effectiveness depends not only on the data itself but also on how it is communicated. As Borges [3] notes, “the value of data lies in its use”, underscoring the importance of accessible and engaging formats for data dissemination.
Infographics have emerged as a preferred format for presenting complex information, offering advantages over text-only summaries by reducing cognitive load and enhancing comprehension [4]. This is particularly relevant for IPC teams, who routinely produce HAIs surveillance reports for hospital stakeholders. As Scott et al. [5] suggest, presenting information in a more engaging, visible and memorable format—such as infographics—can improve both the reach and impact of these reports, making complex data more accessible and actionable for diverse audiences.
Infographics combine text and visuals to convey information quickly and clearly [6,7]. While often seen as a modern communication tool, their use has historical roots. Florence Nightingale’s “polar area diagram”, for example, illustrated the causes of mortality among British soldiers during the Crimean War and played a key role in public health reform [8]. Later, Peter Sullivan’s infographics for The Sunday Times helped popularize visual storytelling in journalism, improving information accessibility [9].
Today, infographics are widely used across sectors—including social media, advertising, policy and academic publishing—as a compelling strategy for conveying complex messages [10]. In healthcare, they have gained recognition as tools capable of enhancing the delivery of information to both patients and professionals [5]. Specifically, they support patient health literacy [11,12], improve medical communication [13,14], and bolster competencies in evidence-based practice [15]. Within nursing education, infographics have demonstrated utility as instructional resources in domains such as pharmacology, in care philosophy and basic life support training [16,17,18]. To our knowledge, their use in professional nursing practice and information-conveyance to practicing nurses remains underexplored.
Despite the growing adoption of infographics, there is a paucity of research addressing nurses’ perspectives on the deployment of infographics to disseminate surveillance data on HAIs. The present study therefore aims to explore the perspectives of IPC link nurses regarding the use of infographics to communicate HAI surveillance findings. Further details on the development of the infographics are described in Section 2.3 to provide full transparency on the materials used in this study.
A descriptive qualitative study was conducted to address the aim of this study. Semi-structured interviews were selected as the data collection method, given the possibility for deeper insights into participants’ perspectives while maintaining alignment with the study objectives. This approach offers a balance between flexibility and structure, particularly valuable for capturing nuanced, context-specific views [19].
Aligned with one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) core components for an IPC program [1], HAIs surveillance reports are biannually issued to ward directors and head nurses, and annually to the hospital board and all healthcare professionals. These reports are supplemented by meetings with IPC link professionals and head nurses to reinforce key messages.
Despite these efforts, it remained unclear whether frontline nurses were consistently receiving and engaging with the information, raising concerns about the limitations of traditional dissemination methods. To address this, an infographic (Figure 1) was introduced as a complementary communication tool, aiming to present HAIs data in a format that was more engaging, relatable, and easier to interpret for nursing staff and other healthcare professionals.
The infographic design followed six key principles, as proposed by Murray et al. [20]: (1) tailoring content to the target audience—healthcare professionals; (2) using a compelling title, in this case incorporating wordplay; (3) providing a clear narrative structure; (4) emphasizing key messages; (5) balancing images, charts and text; and (6) limiting the color pallet and font variety.
Following its initial development, and consistent with recommendations by Arcia et al. [21], the infographic was informally reviewed by a random sample of five healthcare professionals. Their feedback informed refinements to the design, ensuring clarity and relevance of the content. From the researchers’ perspective, this iterative process was essential to validate the infographic’s effectiveness as a communication tool.
A semi-structured interview guide was developed to align with the study’s research questions and explore IPC link nurses’ perceptions of infographics for healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance data dissemination. The development process involved a review of the relevant literature on infographic usage and data feedback practices, followed by the drafting of open-ended questions and prompts. Although a formal pilot test of the interview guide was not conducted due to time/resource constraints, it was reviewed by a qualitative research expert and refined accordingly. The final guide covered key domains: awareness of HAI surveillance data; perceptions of infographic-based dissemination; experiences of current feedback methods; and perceived impacts of the infographics. When participants provided brief responses, we followed up with pre-listed prompts—used flexibly—such as, “Could you tell me more about that?”, and “How did you experience that situation?” The complete guide (including main questions and probes) is provided as Supplementary Materials.
Data were analyzed following Bardin’s [22] content analysis methodology, which comprises three sequential phases: (1) pre-analysis; (2) exploration of the material; and (3) treatment of results and interpretation.
All interviews were transcribed in full. In the pre-analysis phase, a floating reading of the transcripts was conducted to promote familiarization with the data and to identify preliminary impressions and directions for analysis [22].
Transcripts were then segmented into meaning units that captured significant content. These units were analyzed and, where appropriate, grouped into thematic categories. The coding process was guided by the researchers’ interpretative lens, informed by critical reflection and expertise in infection prevention and control. A semantic criterion was applied, whereby content was grouped according to shared meanings or ideas, supporting coherent thematic interpretation [22]. Codes were generated inductively from the data.
In the final phase, coded units and categories were reviewed, refined, and validated in relation to the study objectives. The interpretative analysis focused on identifying patterns, frequencies, and relationships among categories, considering the broader context. Codes with similar meanings were consolidated into broader categories, and related categories were clustered to form overarching themes [22]. The final step involved defining and naming these themes, which were organized into a matrix table to provide a structured overview.
To guide the reporting of this study, we followed Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) [23] (checklist available as Supplementary Materials).
All ethical considerations were respected. Authorization was obtained from both the Hospital Board and the Ethics Committee of the same institution, which issued a favorable opinion (code 14.OBS.2023, 7 August 2023). Free and informed consent was obtained from all participants, who were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without consequence. Participation was entirely voluntary and conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki [24].
Through narrative analysis, coded units and categories were reviewed, refined, and validated in relation to the study objectives, resulting in three main themes: (1) Data awareness—reflecting participants’ views on current communication methods and their impact on practice; (2) infographic use—focusing on the perceived benefits of infographics in terms of accessibility, readability and visual appeal; and (3) team engagement—exploring the need to involve broader nursing teams and promote collective responsibility for HAIs surveillance. Figure 2 presents these themes alongside their respective categories and subcategories, providing a structured overview of the findings.
According to the WHO’s frameworks for infection prevention and control, effective HAIs surveillance requires not only the widespread distribution of reports but also ensuring that shared data prompts meaningful action from all stakeholders, including frontline professionals [1,25]. Passive information sharing, where reports are distributed without follow-up or facilitation, is insufficient on its own. Instead, data must be targeted to individuals and groups who both understand the implications and are empowered to act upon it.
Awareness of epidemiological surveillance is essential for evidence-based practice [25], enabling nurses to interpret and apply relevant data in real-world contexts. However, realizing this potential depends on ensuring that the information reaches frontline nurses effectively, ensuring that those directly involved in patient care are informed and engaged. As Mitchell and Russo [2] emphasize, surveillance is only effective when communication is actionable, that is, when it prompts responses and prevention in practice [2,26].
Participants emphasized the importance of team engagement and identified IPC link nurses as key facilitators in promoting responsibility for data dissemination—an established core function within infection prevention and control programs [1]. They further advocated for complementary strategies, such as digital tools and in-service training, to enhance uptake and promote a shared commitment to quality improvement. Despite the growing use of digital technology in nursing education, its integration into clinical settings remains limited, particularly for reinforcing surveillance data and supporting practical decision-making [27]. In contrast, in-service training continues to be a reliable method for reinforcing infection prevention and control guidelines and connecting data to everyday practice, as highlighted in WHO’s recent infection prevention and control training curriculum [28].
Reflecting on previous dissemination methods, IPC link nurses highlighted several advantages of infographics, including ease of access, visual appeal, and readability. These features facilitated communication with the broader nursing team. This aligns with findings from Scott et al. [5], who emphasize that in saturated information environments, infographics succeed by capturing attention and conveying information clearly.
Participants also noted that infographics reduce cognitive workload, a benefit supported by Patel et al. [14], who argue that healthcare professionals often lack the time to engage with lengthy reports. However, as Ibrahim [29] cautions, infographics—also referred to as visual abstracts—can offer a concise and accessible summary of key information, but should not replace full reports, as they do not capture all details. Participants echoed this concern, emphasizing the importance of access to complete surveillance reports, which they obtained via the QR code embedded in the infographic. They regarded this access as essential for fostering deeper understanding, supporting informed decision-making, and encouraging reflection on clinical practice. According to the literature, this dual strategy—using infographics to spark interest and linking them to full reports—reflects best practice in visual communication. As Ibrahim [29] emphasizes, the primary function of infographics is to attract attention and spark interest, which is particularly valuable in healthcare communication. However, this must be complemented by access to detailed information to avoid misinterpretation and support accurate clinical reflection.
Participants widely endorsed the use of infographics, appreciating their simplicity and clarity. Presenting health information using compelling visuals—such as charts, icons, and graphic elements—can mitigate information overload by providing concise and accessible overviews, as demonstrated in previous research [9]. As John Berger, cited in Siricharoen & Siricharoen [9], noted in Ways of Seeing (Penguin, 1972), “seeing comes before words”, reinforcing the idea that visual elements can enhance comprehension and retention. The participants’ perspectives suggest that integrating visual data tools into communication strategies can enhance nursing education and quality improvement initiatives within clinical settings by foresting critical thinking and proactive engagement with clinical challenges. Moreover, incorporating infographics and other visual tools into educational and clinical workflows has been shown to improve data literacy and make surveillance information more interpretable and actionable [25].
Building on the role of infographics in enhancing data accessibility and promoting behavioral change, it is important to consider the broader impact of visual perception on decision-making. Vision, as one of the most dominant and influential sensory modalities, plays a critical role in how individuals process and engage with information [30]. The findings of Thorndike et al. [31] further illustrate the impact of visual cues on human behavior. Their study implemented a color-coded food labeling system and reorganized cafeteria layouts to enhance the visibility of healthier options. This intervention demonstrated the effectiveness of choice architecture in promoting healthier consumption within a hospital setting. Similarly, a nudge intervention combining the strategic placement of alcohol-based hand rub with a visual reminder at patient’s bedsides significantly increased compliance with hand antiseptics [32].
Participants indicated that dissemination of surveillance data would benefit from complementary strategies extending beyond infographics alone. This reflects the importance of multimodal dissemination strategies that combine digital innovation, participatory decision-making, and structured educational efforts. Such approaches are essential for enhancing awareness and fostering a culture of shared responsibility within healthcare teams. This aligns with the WHO’s definition of a multimodal strategy, which comprises several elements—such as system change, training, reminders, and feedback—implemented in an integrated manner to improve outcomes and drive behavioral changes [1]. Given its versatility, implementing a multimodal approach in disseminating HAIs surveillance data to support sustained behavioral change presents a promising direction for future research.
Participants highlighted that accessibility to data—enabled by visual tools—facilitated the connection between practice and outcomes. These reflections align with the concept of data literacy, which encompasses the ability to interpret, evaluate, and apply data in clinical decision-making [33]. In the context of nursing education, fostering data literacy is essential for evidence-based practice. When integrated into educational and clinical workflows, infographics can make surveillance data more interpretable, actionable, and engaging [34].
Additionally, participants appreciated that the infographic highlighted both successes and areas for improvement; a strategy endorsed by the WHO [28] as part of effective surveillance communication. Incorporating surveillance data into training and education programs within the healthcare institution was also seen as a way to foster accountability, motivation, and continuous improvement.
This perspective aligns with Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior [35], which posits that behavioral intention is influenced by attitudes toward the behavior, perceived social norms, and perceived behavioral control. According to Ajzen [35], attitudes emerge from the beliefs people hold about the behavior, formed by associating it with certain attributes or outcomes. In our study, the use of infographics appears to have fostered positive attitudes among IPC link nurses by making HAIs surveillance data more accessible, engaging, and relevant to their professional context, thereby enhancing their willingness to engage with the data. Perceived social norms refers to the influence of referent individuals or groups who approve or disapprove of a behavior [35]. In our findings, team dynamics and peer engagement emerged as influential factors: participants noted that reviewing and discussing infographic feedback with colleagues reinforced normative expectations of data engagement and increased pressure to act. Perceived behavioral control relates to the perceived ease or difficulty of performing the behavior, reflecting prior experience and anticipated obstacles [35]. Here, the simplicity and clarity of the infographic format reduced interpretive barriers and increased nurses’ confidence in interpreting and acting upon surveillance findings, thereby enhancing perceived control. Together, these elements suggest that infographics may increase intentions to engage with data, thereby supporting the transition from intention to behavior and contributing to improved infection prevention and control practices.
Some participants reported initiating quality improvement projects after engaging with the infographic, suggesting that visual tools can act as triggers for behavioral change. Fogg’s Behavior Model [36] posits that behavior occurs when the following three elements converge: motivation, ability, and triggers. A trigger may take many forms, such as the following: notifications, messages, visual prompts, or infographics, as noted by Siricharoen & Siricharoen [9]. In our study, motivation is supported through perceived relevance and anticipated benefits of the surveillance data. Ability is enhanced by the visual format’s clarity and simplicity, which reduce interpretative barriers. Prompts, such as reminders, meetings, or visual cues, act as triggers prompting nurses to consult feedback reports. When motivation, ability, and prompts align, behavioral engagement becomes more likely. Thus, by attending to these elements, infographics may not only increase intention—in line with Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior—but also help actualize behavior, linking intention to action and contributing to improved infection prevention and control practices.
Although the infographic design in this study was guided by Murray et al.’s [20] six key principles, future development could benefit from collaboration with professional designers. As Albers [37] cautions, poor design may lead to misinterpretation or information distortion. Ensuring clarity, accuracy, and visual coherence is essential when translating complex data into accessible formats.

Sections

"[{\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B1-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B2-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B1-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B3-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"1. Introduction\", \"text\": \"Surveillance of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)\\u2014infections acquired during care that were neither present nor incubating at admission\\u2014is a cornerstone of infection prevention and control (IPC) programs, aimed at improving clinical practice and reducing avoidable infections [1]. It involves the systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of healthcare data to inform IPC strategies [2]. Timely feedback of surveillance findings to all stakeholders is essential [1], yet its effectiveness depends not only on the data itself but also on how it is communicated. As Borges [3] notes, \\u201cthe value of data lies in its use\\u201d, underscoring the importance of accessible and engaging formats for data dissemination.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B4-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B5-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"1. Introduction\", \"text\": \"Infographics have emerged as a preferred format for presenting complex information, offering advantages over text-only summaries by reducing cognitive load and enhancing comprehension [4]. This is particularly relevant for IPC teams, who routinely produce HAIs surveillance reports for hospital stakeholders. As Scott et al. [5] suggest, presenting information in a more engaging, visible and memorable format\\u2014such as infographics\\u2014can improve both the reach and impact of these reports, making complex data more accessible and actionable for diverse audiences.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B6-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B7-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B8-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B9-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"1. Introduction\", \"text\": \"Infographics combine text and visuals to convey information quickly and clearly [6,7]. While often seen as a modern communication tool, their use has historical roots. Florence Nightingale\\u2019s \\u201cpolar area diagram\\u201d, for example, illustrated the causes of mortality among British soldiers during the Crimean War and played a key role in public health reform [8]. Later, Peter Sullivan\\u2019s infographics for The Sunday Times helped popularize visual storytelling in journalism, improving information accessibility [9].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B10-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B5-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B11-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B12-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B13-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B14-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B15-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B16-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B17-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B18-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"1. Introduction\", \"text\": \"Today, infographics are widely used across sectors\\u2014including social media, advertising, policy and academic publishing\\u2014as a compelling strategy for conveying complex messages [10]. In healthcare, they have gained recognition as tools capable of enhancing the delivery of information to both patients and professionals [5]. Specifically, they support patient health literacy [11,12], improve medical communication [13,14], and bolster competencies in evidence-based practice [15]. Within nursing education, infographics have demonstrated utility as instructional resources in domains such as pharmacology, in care philosophy and basic life support training [16,17,18]. To our knowledge, their use in professional nursing practice and information-conveyance to practicing nurses remains underexplored.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"sec2dot3-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"1. Introduction\", \"text\": \"Despite the growing adoption of infographics, there is a paucity of research addressing nurses\\u2019 perspectives on the deployment of infographics to disseminate surveillance data on HAIs. The present study therefore aims to explore the perspectives of IPC link nurses regarding the use of infographics to communicate HAI surveillance findings. Further details on the development of the infographics are described in Section 2.3 to provide full transparency on the materials used in this study.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B19-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"2.1. Research Design\", \"text\": \"A descriptive qualitative study was conducted to address the aim of this study. Semi-structured interviews were selected as the data collection method, given the possibility for deeper insights into participants\\u2019 perspectives while maintaining alignment with the study objectives. This approach offers a balance between flexibility and structure, particularly valuable for capturing nuanced, context-specific views [19].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B1-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"2.3. Background\", \"text\": \"Aligned with one of the World Health Organization\\u2019s (WHO) core components for an IPC program [1], HAIs surveillance reports are biannually issued to ward directors and head nurses, and annually to the hospital board and all healthcare professionals. These reports are supplemented by meetings with IPC link professionals and head nurses to reinforce key messages.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"healthcare-13-02961-f001\"], \"section\": \"2.3. Background\", \"text\": \"Despite these efforts, it remained unclear whether frontline nurses were consistently receiving and engaging with the information, raising concerns about the limitations of traditional dissemination methods. To address this, an infographic (Figure 1) was introduced as a complementary communication tool, aiming to present HAIs data in a format that was more engaging, relatable, and easier to interpret for nursing staff and other healthcare professionals.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B20-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"2.3. Background\", \"text\": \"The infographic design followed six key principles, as proposed by Murray et al. [20]: (1) tailoring content to the target audience\\u2014healthcare professionals; (2) using a compelling title, in this case incorporating wordplay; (3) providing a clear narrative structure; (4) emphasizing key messages; (5) balancing images, charts and text; and (6) limiting the color pallet and font variety.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B21-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"2.3. Background\", \"text\": \"Following its initial development, and consistent with recommendations by Arcia et al. [21], the infographic was informally reviewed by a random sample of five healthcare professionals. Their feedback informed refinements to the design, ensuring clarity and relevance of the content. From the researchers\\u2019 perspective, this iterative process was essential to validate the infographic\\u2019s effectiveness as a communication tool.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"app1-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"2.4. Data Collection\", \"text\": \"A semi-structured interview guide was developed to align with the study\\u2019s research questions and explore IPC link nurses\\u2019 perceptions of infographics for healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance data dissemination. The development process involved a review of the relevant literature on infographic usage and data feedback practices, followed by the drafting of open-ended questions and prompts. Although a formal pilot test of the interview guide was not conducted due to time/resource constraints, it was reviewed by a qualitative research expert and refined accordingly. The final guide covered key domains: awareness of HAI surveillance data; perceptions of infographic-based dissemination; experiences of current feedback methods; and perceived impacts of the infographics. When participants provided brief responses, we followed up with pre-listed prompts\\u2014used flexibly\\u2014such as, \\u201cCould you tell me more about that?\\u201d, and \\u201cHow did you experience that situation?\\u201d The complete guide (including main questions and probes) is provided as Supplementary Materials.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B22-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"2.5. Data Analysis\", \"text\": \"Data were analyzed following Bardin\\u2019s [22] content analysis methodology, which comprises three sequential phases: (1) pre-analysis; (2) exploration of the material; and (3) treatment of results and interpretation.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B22-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"2.5. Data Analysis\", \"text\": \"All interviews were transcribed in full. In the pre-analysis phase, a floating reading of the transcripts was conducted to promote familiarization with the data and to identify preliminary impressions and directions for analysis [22].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B22-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"2.5. Data Analysis\", \"text\": \"Transcripts were then segmented into meaning units that captured significant content. These units were analyzed and, where appropriate, grouped into thematic categories. The coding process was guided by the researchers\\u2019 interpretative lens, informed by critical reflection and expertise in infection prevention and control. A semantic criterion was applied, whereby content was grouped according to shared meanings or ideas, supporting coherent thematic interpretation [22]. Codes were generated inductively from the data.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B22-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"2.5. Data Analysis\", \"text\": \"In the final phase, coded units and categories were reviewed, refined, and validated in relation to the study objectives. The interpretative analysis focused on identifying patterns, frequencies, and relationships among categories, considering the broader context. Codes with similar meanings were consolidated into broader categories, and related categories were clustered to form overarching themes [22]. The final step involved defining and naming these themes, which were organized into a matrix table to provide a structured overview.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B23-healthcare-13-02961\", \"app1-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"2.5. Data Analysis\", \"text\": \"To guide the reporting of this study, we followed Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) [23] (checklist available as Supplementary Materials).\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B24-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"2.6. Ethical Considerations\", \"text\": \"All ethical considerations were respected. Authorization was obtained from both the Hospital Board and the Ethics Committee of the same institution, which issued a favorable opinion (code 14.OBS.2023, 7 August 2023). Free and informed consent was obtained from all participants, who were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without consequence. Participation was entirely voluntary and conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki [24].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"healthcare-13-02961-f002\"], \"section\": \"3. Results\", \"text\": \"Through narrative analysis, coded units and categories were reviewed, refined, and validated in relation to the study objectives, resulting in three main themes: (1) Data awareness\\u2014reflecting participants\\u2019 views on current communication methods and their impact on practice; (2) infographic use\\u2014focusing on the perceived benefits of infographics in terms of accessibility, readability and visual appeal; and (3) team engagement\\u2014exploring the need to involve broader nursing teams and promote collective responsibility for HAIs surveillance. Figure 2 presents these themes alongside their respective categories and subcategories, providing a structured overview of the findings.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B1-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B25-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.1. Data Awareness\", \"text\": \"According to the WHO\\u2019s frameworks for infection prevention and control, effective HAIs surveillance requires not only the widespread distribution of reports but also ensuring that shared data prompts meaningful action from all stakeholders, including frontline professionals [1,25]. Passive information sharing, where reports are distributed without follow-up or facilitation, is insufficient on its own. Instead, data must be targeted to individuals and groups who both understand the implications and are empowered to act upon it.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B25-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B2-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B2-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B26-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.1. Data Awareness\", \"text\": \"Awareness of epidemiological surveillance is essential for evidence-based practice [25], enabling nurses to interpret and apply relevant data in real-world contexts. However, realizing this potential depends on ensuring that the information reaches frontline nurses effectively, ensuring that those directly involved in patient care are informed and engaged. As Mitchell and Russo [2] emphasize, surveillance is only effective when communication is actionable, that is, when it prompts responses and prevention in practice [2,26].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B1-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B27-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B28-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.1. Data Awareness\", \"text\": \"Participants emphasized the importance of team engagement and identified IPC link nurses as key facilitators in promoting responsibility for data dissemination\\u2014an established core function within infection prevention and control programs [1]. They further advocated for complementary strategies, such as digital tools and in-service training, to enhance uptake and promote a shared commitment to quality improvement. Despite the growing use of digital technology in nursing education, its integration into clinical settings remains limited, particularly for reinforcing surveillance data and supporting practical decision-making [27]. In contrast, in-service training continues to be a reliable method for reinforcing infection prevention and control guidelines and connecting data to everyday practice, as highlighted in WHO\\u2019s recent infection prevention and control training curriculum [28].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B5-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.1. Data Awareness\", \"text\": \"Reflecting on previous dissemination methods, IPC link nurses highlighted several advantages of infographics, including ease of access, visual appeal, and readability. These features facilitated communication with the broader nursing team. This aligns with findings from Scott et al. [5], who emphasize that in saturated information environments, infographics succeed by capturing attention and conveying information clearly.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B14-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B29-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B29-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.1. Data Awareness\", \"text\": \"Participants also noted that infographics reduce cognitive workload, a benefit supported by Patel et al. [14], who argue that healthcare professionals often lack the time to engage with lengthy reports. However, as Ibrahim [29] cautions, infographics\\u2014also referred to as visual abstracts\\u2014can offer a concise and accessible summary of key information, but should not replace full reports, as they do not capture all details. Participants echoed this concern, emphasizing the importance of access to complete surveillance reports, which they obtained via the QR code embedded in the infographic. They regarded this access as essential for fostering deeper understanding, supporting informed decision-making, and encouraging reflection on clinical practice. According to the literature, this dual strategy\\u2014using infographics to spark interest and linking them to full reports\\u2014reflects best practice in visual communication. As Ibrahim [29] emphasizes, the primary function of infographics is to attract attention and spark interest, which is particularly valuable in healthcare communication. However, this must be complemented by access to detailed information to avoid misinterpretation and support accurate clinical reflection.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B9-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B9-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B25-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.2. Infographic Use\", \"text\": \"Participants widely endorsed the use of infographics, appreciating their simplicity and clarity. Presenting health information using compelling visuals\\u2014such as charts, icons, and graphic elements\\u2014can mitigate information overload by providing concise and accessible overviews, as demonstrated in previous research [9]. As John Berger, cited in Siricharoen & Siricharoen [9], noted in Ways of Seeing (Penguin, 1972), \\u201cseeing comes before words\\u201d, reinforcing the idea that visual elements can enhance comprehension and retention. The participants\\u2019 perspectives suggest that integrating visual data tools into communication strategies can enhance nursing education and quality improvement initiatives within clinical settings by foresting critical thinking and proactive engagement with clinical challenges. Moreover, incorporating infographics and other visual tools into educational and clinical workflows has been shown to improve data literacy and make surveillance information more interpretable and actionable [25].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B30-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B31-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B32-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.2. Infographic Use\", \"text\": \"Building on the role of infographics in enhancing data accessibility and promoting behavioral change, it is important to consider the broader impact of visual perception on decision-making. Vision, as one of the most dominant and influential sensory modalities, plays a critical role in how individuals process and engage with information [30]. The findings of Thorndike et al. [31] further illustrate the impact of visual cues on human behavior. Their study implemented a color-coded food labeling system and reorganized cafeteria layouts to enhance the visibility of healthier options. This intervention demonstrated the effectiveness of choice architecture in promoting healthier consumption within a hospital setting. Similarly, a nudge intervention combining the strategic placement of alcohol-based hand rub with a visual reminder at patient\\u2019s bedsides significantly increased compliance with hand antiseptics [32].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B1-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.2. Infographic Use\", \"text\": \"Participants indicated that dissemination of surveillance data would benefit from complementary strategies extending beyond infographics alone. This reflects the importance of multimodal dissemination strategies that combine digital innovation, participatory decision-making, and structured educational efforts. Such approaches are essential for enhancing awareness and fostering a culture of shared responsibility within healthcare teams. This aligns with the WHO\\u2019s definition of a multimodal strategy, which comprises several elements\\u2014such as system change, training, reminders, and feedback\\u2014implemented in an integrated manner to improve outcomes and drive behavioral changes [1]. Given its versatility, implementing a multimodal approach in disseminating HAIs surveillance data to support sustained behavioral change presents a promising direction for future research.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B33-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B34-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.3. Team Engagement\", \"text\": \"Participants highlighted that accessibility to data\\u2014enabled by visual tools\\u2014facilitated the connection between practice and outcomes. These reflections align with the concept of data literacy, which encompasses the ability to interpret, evaluate, and apply data in clinical decision-making [33]. In the context of nursing education, fostering data literacy is essential for evidence-based practice. When integrated into educational and clinical workflows, infographics can make surveillance data more interpretable, actionable, and engaging [34].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B28-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.3. Team Engagement\", \"text\": \"Additionally, participants appreciated that the infographic highlighted both successes and areas for improvement; a strategy endorsed by the WHO [28] as part of effective surveillance communication. Incorporating surveillance data into training and education programs within the healthcare institution was also seen as a way to foster accountability, motivation, and continuous improvement.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B35-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B35-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B35-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B35-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.3. Team Engagement\", \"text\": \"This perspective aligns with Ajzen\\u2019s Theory of Planned Behavior [35], which posits that behavioral intention is influenced by attitudes toward the behavior, perceived social norms, and perceived behavioral control. According to Ajzen [35], attitudes emerge from the beliefs people hold about the behavior, formed by associating it with certain attributes or outcomes. In our study, the use of infographics appears to have fostered positive attitudes among IPC link nurses by making HAIs surveillance data more accessible, engaging, and relevant to their professional context, thereby enhancing their willingness to engage with the data. Perceived social norms refers to the influence of referent individuals or groups who approve or disapprove of a behavior [35]. In our findings, team dynamics and peer engagement emerged as influential factors: participants noted that reviewing and discussing infographic feedback with colleagues reinforced normative expectations of data engagement and increased pressure to act. Perceived behavioral control relates to the perceived ease or difficulty of performing the behavior, reflecting prior experience and anticipated obstacles [35]. Here, the simplicity and clarity of the infographic format reduced interpretive barriers and increased nurses\\u2019 confidence in interpreting and acting upon surveillance findings, thereby enhancing perceived control. Together, these elements suggest that infographics may increase intentions to engage with data, thereby supporting the transition from intention to behavior and contributing to improved infection prevention and control practices.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B36-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B9-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"Infographics as Catalysts for Quality Improvement Initiatives\", \"text\": \"Some participants reported initiating quality improvement projects after engaging with the infographic, suggesting that visual tools can act as triggers for behavioral change. Fogg\\u2019s Behavior Model [36] posits that behavior occurs when the following three elements converge: motivation, ability, and triggers. A trigger may take many forms, such as the following: notifications, messages, visual prompts, or infographics, as noted by Siricharoen & Siricharoen [9]. In our study, motivation is supported through perceived relevance and anticipated benefits of the surveillance data. Ability is enhanced by the visual format\\u2019s clarity and simplicity, which reduce interpretative barriers. Prompts, such as reminders, meetings, or visual cues, act as triggers prompting nurses to consult feedback reports. When motivation, ability, and prompts align, behavioral engagement becomes more likely. Thus, by attending to these elements, infographics may not only increase intention\\u2014in line with Ajzen\\u2019s Theory of Planned Behavior\\u2014but also help actualize behavior, linking intention to action and contributing to improved infection prevention and control practices.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC12652311\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"B20-healthcare-13-02961\", \"B37-healthcare-13-02961\"], \"section\": \"4.4. Implications for Practice and Research\", \"text\": \"Although the infographic design in this study was guided by Murray et al.\\u2019s [20] six key principles, future development could benefit from collaboration with professional designers. As Albers [37] cautions, poor design may lead to misinterpretation or information distortion. Ensuring clarity, accuracy, and visual coherence is essential when translating complex data into accessible formats.\"}]"

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