Advantages of E Learning continous education module of infection control in a tertiary hospital of a developing country

Background: With technological advancement more computer savvy health care workers joining health care institutions, IT guided continous learning process helps in learning, knowledge, competency and skills set building required for infection control (IC).

Objective: To develop an e learning continuous education (CE) programme for knowledge and skill based competency building in infection control

Methods: An interview was conducted by the in service education department to understand the impact of continuous education class room sessions and limitations.
Pilot study was conducted by involving all stake holders. Team of Hospital Information system analysts, administrators, in-service education staff, medical informatics and nursing supervisors came together gave input. A feedback analysis was also taken after 6 months of implementation.
Approach for on line CNE: Every staff will get a user id and a password at the time of induction. An article with 10 MCQs (multiple choice questions), were released by the in-service administrator. They were allowed to attempt MCQs and grade them simultaneously. Each grade were added to their respective credits. For any references, they were trained to aaproach digital resource books, journals, power point presentations, articles, while being hooked to the in house hospital information system 

Results: Out of 1344 nursing staff, 48% of the staff were able to attend the class room (CRS) session.   
38% of the lectures were missed in CRS. Almost all senior nursing staff were not attending the session. Some important topics were missed by the staff leading to poor outcome in patient care. 88% of staff felt that e learning continuous education programme improved their knowledge, skills and it helped them to keep them updated. 76% of the staff felt that on line CE does not disturb their schedule. First three months of introduction of on line CE, only 35% of staff attempted, which increased to 42% by the next 6 months, which later increased to 91%. Quality indicators in infection control, staff’s knowledge and skills had improved from 43% to 87%. Hand washing compliance improved from 47% to 78% in the hospital with e-reminders. Cost towards training in CRS was Rs 7 lacs per annum while in on line was 1.5 lacs per annum.

Conclusions: There was a remarkable improvement in knowledge, competency and skills of the staff after introduction of e learning (on line) continuous education programme on infection control along with other quality indicators. It also turned out to be cost effective and had better acceptance by the staff.