OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status and existing issues of hospital-associated infection management in non-public medical institutions, so as to provide data for the formulation of hospital-associated infection management policies and the construction of a quality evaluation system for hospital-associated infection management in non-public medical institutions.

METHODS A qualitative research method was employed. In Dec. 2023, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 directors of hospital-associated infection management departments in primary, secondary and tertiary non-public medical institutions. The interview data were coded and analyzed by Nvivo 12.0 software to refine themes.

RESULTS Three themes were refined: the organizational system for hospital-associated infection management in non-public medical institutions had been basically established, but the division of functions and responsibilities was not yet fully clear, hospital-associated infection management had achieved certain results, including collaborating with other departments to standardize and implement infection control measures, enhancing staff awareness of infection control, and promoting the establishment of organizational systems. There were issues in infection control works such as insufficient funding, personnel allocation not meeting requirements, and difficulties in implementing infection control measures. The most urgent assistance needed was to address the training and professional title promotion for full-time and part-time infection control personnel.

CONCLUSION Non-public medical institutions should strengthen staffing and training, enhance the professional capabilities of infection control personnel, and establish hospital-associated infection management standards that are tailored to the characteristics of non-public medical institutions at all levels.