DOI: 10.4018/IJANTTI.2016070103 Copyright © 2016, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. International Journal of Actor-Network Theory and Technological Innovation Volume 8 • Issue 3 • July-September 2016 Translating Technology in Professional Practices to Optimize Infection Prevention and Control: A Case Study Based on the TRIP-ANT Framework Randa Attieh, CHU de Québec, Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, Canada Marie-Pierre Gagnon, Faculty of Nursing, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada Geneviève Roch, Faculty of Nursing, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada Sarah L Krein, VA Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR), University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to explain how the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology was translated into professional practices to prevent and control vancomycin-resistant enterococci outbreaks via an actor-network, based on the integrated framework TRIP-ANT. A single case study was conducted in three purposefully selected sites implementing the PCR-VRE assay. The complete dataset comprised semi-structured interviews with 28 participants and a review of hospital and external documents. A content analysis was conducted. The authors’ findings indicate the emergence of four main themes, including illustration of who was involved in the adoption process, attribution of roles and responsibilities, interaction/communication/ collaboration mechanisms, and changes in professional practices. Their findings also address five challenges that arose from each theme. The translation of PCR technology into professional practices relies on the enrolment of an organisational, clinical, managerial and financial support network, and on the evolution of practices, communications, and roles and responsibilities. KeywORdS Adoption, Change, Collaboration, Communication, Infection Prevention and Control, PCR-VRE, Practices, Technology INTROdUCTION The development of healthcare technology plays a key role in the achievement of evidence-based outcomes in patient care (Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt, 2011). The attention paid by managers to healthcare quality and efficiency highlights the need to master the adoption of new technologies, especially in infection prevention and control (IPC) in order to improve the quality of care and productivity of the healthcare system (Kyratsis, Ahmad and Holmes, 2012). Technology adoption relates to a hospital’s decision to acquire a technology and make it available to healthcare professionals for supporting or enhancing their task performance (Ghodeswar and Vaidyanathan, 2008). In recent years, several steps have been taken to support the prevention and control of nosocomial infections (NI), such as the use of rapid screening tests based on the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) molecular technology to enhance vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection prevention interventions (Versalovic and Lupski, 2002). Rapidly obtaining results compensates for 26