Abstract

Healthcare crises, particularly those driven by infectious disease outbreaks, exert profound pressure on health systems and highlight the essential role of robust infection prevention and control measures. This review explores the critical contribution of nurse leadership in influencing infection control outcomes during such crises, aiming to synthesise evidence on leadership roles, operational challenges, enabling conditions, and future directions for policy, practice, and research. A narrative review methodology was employed, integrating insights from interdisciplinary literature on nursing leadership, infection control, crisis response, and health system innovation.
The analysis indicates that nurse leaders function as key coordinators of infection control activities, bridging policy and practice while maintaining workforce cohesion in uncertain environments. Central leadership functions include rapid decision-making, effective communication, multidisciplinary collaboration, resource allocation, and the reinforcement of a culture of safety. Nonetheless, the review identifies persistent challenges such as limited resources, staff exhaustion, fragmented infrastructures, and inconsistencies in leadership preparedness. Conversely, factors such as ongoing professional development, supportive governance structures, technological integration, and adaptive leadership approaches were found to strengthen nurse-led infection control efforts.
Furthermore, the review emphasises the increasing relevance of digital innovations, including telehealth and data-driven decision-support systems, in enhancing leadership effectiveness and organisational responsiveness. It concludes that infection control success during healthcare crises is fundamentally dependent on strong and well-supported nurse leadership.
Recommendations focus on expanding leadership training initiatives, embedding nurse leaders within strategic decision-making processes, improving digital literacy, and promoting research that links leadership practices to measurable outcomes. These actions are vital for fostering resilient and responsive healthcare systems prepared for future crises.