Does size matter? The impact of a small but targeted cleaning training intervention within a paediatric ward

Abstract

Summary Background Cleaning is a critical tool for infection prevention and control, and is a key intervention for preventing healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and controlling intermediate transmission routes between patient and environment. This study sought to identify potential areas of weakness in clinical surface cleaning, and assess the effectiveness of a staff group specific training intervention. Observations One-hundred hours of audit observations in a paediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) assessed surface cleaning technique of healthcare staff within bedspaces. Cleaning was assessed with a 5-component bundle, with each cleaning opportunity scored out of five. Training Intervention Fifty hours of audit observations before and after a training intervention tested the efficacy of a staff group specific education intervention. The intervention was developed and implemented for 69% of nurses and 100% of cleaners. Results One hundred and eighteen cleaning opportunities were observed before training, and scored an average of 2.4. One hundred and twenty-one cleaning opportunities were observed after training and scored an average 3.0. On average, before training, each cleaning opportunity by nurses and cleaners fulfilled 2.4 and 2.5, respectively, of the 5 bundle components. Following training, this improved to 3.3 and 2.9 respectively. There was a statistically significant improvement in bundle scores for nurses (P=.004) and cleaners (P=.0003). Conclusions Surface wipe methods were inconsistent between all staff groups. The education based intervention resulted in a small improvement in most of the cleaning components. This study has identified how a small but targeted cleaning training intervention can have a significant (P= <.0001) impact on cleaning bundle compliance for both nurses and cleaners.

The effects of trained observers (dofficers) and audits during a facility-wide COVID-19 outbreak: A mixed-methods quality improvement analysis

“…The tool was developed after a comprehensive review of literature. [5][6][7][8][11][12][13][14][15][16] Assessment categories that were supported by this review included ensuring appropriate signage, PPE equipment supplies, PPE use, cleaning, as well as cohorting and social distancing. "Signage" is meant to ensure that posters indicating a patient is on precautions are clearly posted, as well as graphics that take staff through the individual PPE donning/doffing steps are available at each PPE station.…”