E-learning may improve adherence to alcohol-based hand rubbing: a cohort study

An E-Learning Program Improves Patients' Knowledge After Lung Transplantation

Background: Adherence to immunosuppressive medicine in lung transplant recipients is associated with improved long-term survival. Patient education and support from health care providers are key components. We investigated e-learning as a tool to improve lung transplant recipients' knowledge of post-transplant care such as hygiene, self-monitoring, travel precautions, vaccinations, and the importance of adherence to medication. Objective: To compare the effect of e-learning and conventional patient education with respect to level of knowledge and drug adherence. A single-center open randomized controlled trial design was used. Methods: Lung transplant recipients were randomized to an e-learning program or standard care. One month before a scheduled follow-up visit, the intervention group received a link by e-mail to a 15-min e-learning program. At the follow-up visit, all lung transplant recipients completed two drug adherence questionnaires (Basel Assessment of Adherence with Immunosuppressive medication Scales [BAASIS] and Transplant Adherence Questionnaire [TAQ]) and a questionnaire testing their knowledge of post-transplant care. Results: Fifty lung transplant recipients were randomized with 24 recipients in each group completing the study. Recipient adherence measured by BAASIS showed a tendency toward improved drug adherence in the intervention group compared with the control group (71% vs. 55%, p = 0.23). TAQ showed no difference between the two groups (p = 1.0). Recipients in the intervention group had a significantly higher number of correct answers to questions about transplant-friendly lifestyle (median 11 vs. 10, p = 0.02). Conclusion: A 15-min e-learning program is a simple and effective tool to improve lung transplant recipients' knowledge of post-transplant care.

The effect of training and awareness of subtle control on the frequency of hand hygiene among intensive care unit nurses

Objective

This study aimed to determine the effect of awareness of subtle control after training on the hand hygiene compliance among nurses in intensive care units (ICUs). The study was conducted in two ICUs of a trauma center in Shiraz, Iran on 48 nurses. The nurses of one ICU were randomly allocated to the intervention and the nurses of the other ICU were allocated to the control group. All nurses were trained on hand hygiene. Then a fake closed camera television (CCTV) was visibly installed in the intervention group’s ICU, while the nurses were aware of it. The degree of compliance with hand hygiene was observed in both groups before and after the intervention. Data were gathered using a checklist based on the World Health Organization hand hygiene protocol and analyzed using SPSS 16 and the Chi square, Wilcoxon, Mann–Whitney U, and Independent T-tests, were performed.

Results

The mean percentage of hand hygiene compliance in the intervention group after the intervention was significantly higher than before the intervention (p < 0.001). Additionally, the changes in the mean percentage of the intervention group was significantly higher than that for the control group (p = 0.001). The findings showed that a fake CCTV after training, installed in ICUs, can improve hand hygiene compliance.

Effectiveness of an edutainment video teaching standard precautions - a randomized controlled evaluation study

Background

Standard precautions are essential to prevent pathogen transmission and nosocomial infections. We assessed learning effect (primary outcome) and satisfaction (secondary outcome) of watching a 5-min humorous “edutainment (=education and entertainment) video” on Standard Precautions compared to reading a written standard operating procedure (SOP) or receiving no intervention.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial was executed at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, a tertiary care centre with a state-of-the-art infection prevention programme. Healthcare providers (HCPs) of different medical departments were 1:1:1 randomized to watching the edutainment video (video group), reading the SOP (SOP group), or no study-specific intervention (no-intervention group). Online questionnaires included a knowledge assessment about Standard Precautions at time point (TP) 1 immediately after intervention, TP2 after 1 month, and TP3 after 3 months. Information about HCPs’ satisfaction with the learning method was collected. Variables were assessed within and between groups using the appropriate non-parametric tests. Predictors for knowledge of Standard Precautions were assessed by uni- and multivariable linear regression.

Results

Overall, 363 predominantly female (78.2%) HCPs were included. At TP 1 and TP3, the video group scored better on the knowledge assessment against both the SOP and the no-intervention group (TP1 p < .001 and 0.001, TP3 p = 0.036 and 0.048). In the multivariable analysis, being member of the video group was an independent predictor for better knowledge scores. The video was rated higher than the SOP regarding satisfaction with learning experience, and video group participants more frequently indicated they would recommend their learning method to colleagues.

Conclusions

Watching an edutainment video proved to be more effective to improve knowledge about Standard Precautions compared to reading an SOP or no intervention. Satisfaction with the learning method was superior in the video group, suggesting higher potential for future uptake.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13756-019-0531-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The feasibility of e-learning as a quality improvement tool

RATIONAL, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Many quality problems exist in health care. We aim to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of using e-learning (defined as computer-based learning modules) to address gaps in quality of care.

METHODS

We performed a qualitative evaluation of participants in a pilot e-learning program. Physician members of six medical teaching units (MTUs) at a multi-site tertiary care teaching hospital were asked to complete two e-learning modules addressing hand hygiene practices and management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). An e-learning design team created online modules that were made available to members of the six MTUs for 4 weeks using a password secured website. Use of the modules was voluntary. Participants' perceptions of module content, mode of delivery, and suggestions for improvement were determined through focus groups. We then performed content analysis on the transcripts. We used system data to define patterns of module access.

RESULTS

Out of 55 eligible users, 30 (55%) logged onto the system at least once. Residents (14/30, 47%) were less likely to use the system than medical students (9/14, 64%) and attending staff (7/11, 64%). Learners at all levels thought the modules were easy to use. Participants liked the knowledge-based material in the CAP module because it directly applied to their work. There were less favourable opinions of the hand hygiene module

CONCLUSIONS

Generating e-learning modules targeted at gaps in quality of care is feasible and acceptable to learners. Future studies should assess whether these approaches lead to desired changes in behavior.

Types of interventions used to improve hand hygiene compliance and prevent healthcare associated infection

Hand hygiene is regarded as the most effective means of preventing healthcare associated infection. However, systematic reviews provide limited evidence of effectiveness, a finding that is attributed to the poor quality of research designs, dubious outcome measures and flawed approaches to audit. The ability of interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance has not previously been questioned. This review categorises the types of interventions used to promote hand hygiene and discusses their plausibility, taking selected examples from previous systematic searches. Opinion leaders have emphasised the need for interventions to be underpinned by theory. This is an ambitious endeavour for infection control personnel based in National Health Service trusts. However, it is possible to offer pragmatic suggestions to promote compliance. Initiatives are most likely to be successful if needs analysis is undertaken at the outset to address local barriers and identify enablers to compliance, and if interventions are clearly justified by existing evidence, customised according to occupational group, consider health workers’ needs and preferences for training and updating, and avoid punishment.

Hand hygiene deficiency citations in nursing homes

Hand hygiene (HH) is recognized as an effective way to decrease transmission of infections. Little research has been conducted surrounding HH in nursing homes (NHs). In this research, deficiency citations representing potential problems with HH practices by staff as identified in the certification process conducted at almost all US NHs were examined. The aims of the study were to identify potential relationships between these deficiency citations and characteristics of the NH and characteristics of the NH environment. We used a panel of 148,900 observations with information primarily coming from the 2000 through 2009 Online Survey, Certification, And Reporting data (OSCAR). An average of 9% of all NHs per year received a deficiency citation for HH. In the multivariate analyses, for all three caregivers examined (i.e., nurse aides, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Registered Nurses) low staffing levels were associated with receiving a deficiency citation for HH. Two measures of poor quality (i.e., [1] Quality of care deficiency citations and [2] J, K, or L deficiency citations, that is deficiency citations with a high extent of harm and/or more residents affected) were also associated with receiving a deficiency citation for HH. Given the percentage of NHs receiving deficiency citations for potential problems with HH identified in this research, more attention should be placed on this issue.

Educating healthcare workers to optimal hand hygiene practices: addressing the need

The education of healthcare workers is essential to improve practices and is an integral part of hand hygiene promotional strategies. According to the evidence reviewed here, healthcare worker education has a positive impact on improving hand hygiene and reducing healthcare-associated infection. Detailed practical guidance on steps for the organization of education programmes in healthcare facilities and teaching-learning strategies are provided using the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in Health Care as the basis for recommendations. Several key elements for a successful educational programme are also identified. A particular emphasis is placed on concepts included in the tools developed by WHO for education, monitoring and performance feedback.

Interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance in patient care

BACKGROUND

Health care-associated infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Hand hygiene is regarded as an effective preventive measure.

OBJECTIVES

To update the review done in 2007, to assess the short and longer-term success of strategies to improve hand hygiene compliance and to determine whether a sustained increase in hand hygiene compliance can reduce rates of health care-associated infection.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We conducted electronic searches of: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group specialised register of trials; MEDLINE; PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; and the BNI. Originally searched to July 2006, for the update databases were searched from August 2006 until November 2009.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, controlled before and after studies, and interrupted time series analyses meeting explicit entry and quality criteria used by the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group were eligible for inclusion. Studies reporting indicators of hand hygiene compliance and proxy indicators such as product use were considered. Self-reported data were not considered a valid measure of compliance. Studies to promote hand hygiene compliance as part of a care bundle approach were included, providing data relating specifically to hand hygiene were presented separately. Studies were excluded if hand hygiene was assessed in simulations, non-clinical settings or the operating theatre setting.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed data quality.

MAIN RESULTS

Four studies met the criteria for the review: two from the original review and two from the update. Two studies evaluated simple education initiatives, one using a randomized clinical trial design and the other a controlled before and after design. Both measured hand hygiene compliance by direct observation. The other two studies were both interrupted times series studies. One study presented three separate interventions within the same paper: simple substitutions of product and two multifaceted campaigns, one of which included involving practitioners in making decisions about choice of hand hygiene products and the components of the hand hygiene program. The other study also presented two separate multifaceted campaigns, one of which involved application of social marketing theory. In these two studies follow-up data collection continued beyond twelve months, and a proxy measure of hand hygiene compliance (product use) was recorded. Microbiological data were recorded in one study. Hand hygiene compliance increased for one of the studies where it was measured by direct observation, but the results from the other study were not conclusive. Product use increased in the two studies in which it was reported, with inconsistent results reported for one initiative. MRSA incidence decreased in the one study reporting microbiological data.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The quality of intervention studies intended to increase hand hygiene compliance remains disappointing. Although multifaceted campaigns with social marketing or staff involvement appear to have an effect, there is insufficient evidence to draw a firm conclusion. There remains an urgent need to undertake methodologically robust research to explore the effectiveness of soundly designed and implemented interventions to increase hand hygiene compliance.