Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service I (Projects aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery to meet international standards)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Lo YM (1), Chan SY (2), Wan YK (2), Wong KM (1), Lee KY (1), Pang YKC (1), Lai WMY (1), Wong YM (1), Yip PN (1), Chen MN (1), Chow LL (3), Wong LHP (3), Mui ML (4), Wong WM (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Infection Control Team, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
(2) Ruttonjee Hospital
(3) Infection Control Team, Ruttonjee Hospital
(4) Infection Control Team, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
Hospital environmental contamination is one of a contributing factors to healthcare-associated multidrug-resistant organisms (HA-MDRO) transmission. The hospital environment, particularly high-touch surfaces, plays a critical role in the transfer of MDROs between patients and/or healthcare workers. Proper and effective environmental cleansing by supporting staff responsible for environmental cleansing (supporting staff) can improve the hospital hygiene.
Objectives :
1. To explore the best training method for supporting staff.
2. To enhance high-touch surfaces cleansing techniques knowledge and effectiveness among supporting staff.
Methodology :
Two training methods on high-touch surfaces cleansing were designed. A traditional classroom training (control) and a simulation training including lecture and scenario-based hands-on practice (intervention). Supporting staff were randomly assigned to participate in the control and intervention groups.
Three outcomes including knowledge, cleansing technique compliance and satisfaction level were measured.
A 5-questions questionnaire on environmental cleansing knowledge and a semi-structured staff satisfactory survey were designed to examine the knowledge and feedbacks of the training.
Cleansing technique assessments with the use of fluorescent marker and a standard assessment checklist were conducted before and after the trainings to examine the effectiveness of the trainings.
Result & Outcome :
A total 232 supporting staff were recruited from May to August, 2023. The overall mean scoring on the environmental cleansing knowledge assessment increased from 3.92 (pre-training) to 4.25 (post-training) with p-value <0.001. The number of supporting staff achieved full score (5 scores) in the knowledge assessment increased from 38 participants (pre-training) to 105 participants (post-training) (odds ratio: 4.221; p-value: <0.001).
Significant improvement on post-training cleansing technique assessment was observed (odds ratio: 11.245; p-value: <0.001) among intervention group. 90.8% on clearance of fluorescent marks observed in the intervention group while only 46.8% on clearance observed in control group.
A strong and high satisfaction level received from both groups of supporting staff with an average satisfaction score at 4.7 with full score at 5.
Supporting staff appreciated any forms of training. Although traditional classroom training is more convenience in arrangement, simulation training with lecture and scenario-based hands-on practice had a positive impact on supporting staff knowledge, technique and satisfaction level. It is worthwhile to provide more different infection control hands-on trainings to supporting staff, both clinical and non-clinical, so as to improve understanding and practices in infection control.
