Implementation of Interactive Educational Software as an Auxiliary Educative Tool on Basic Infection Control Measures

Background: Every HCW having direct patient contact might be a possible source for cross transmission of pathogens and evolution of HAI. The use of interactive educational software can serve as an effective tool for the transfer of essential knowledge in infection prevention.

Objective: Development of interactive educational software regarding basic infection control measures and completion of the program by every HCW who has direct patient contact as part of a hospital wide program for the promotion of hand hygiene.

Methods: The importance of the program has been presented to the hospital management and the program was approved. The interactive educational software was developed by the infection control team with assistance from a professional company. Every HCW having direct patient contact, including physicians, nurses, and paramedical staff, was obliged by the hospital management to complete the computer program and successfully pass an exam in up to three months. Medical and nursing managers were responsible to assure accomplishment of the program by their teams. Once every two weeks an automatic reminder was sent to team members who had not yet accomplished the task. No sanctions or coercive measures were taken.

Results: Of the 2800 HCWs obliged to accomplish the computer program, 2200 (77%) did so successfully in the assigned period of three months. Among nursing and paramedical staff members compliance was as high as 90%, while only 55% of physicians accomplished the program. In departments with active involvement of the head of the department, compliance of physicians was higher. Overall the computer program was perceived by HCWs as a positive intervention.

Conclusions: The use of a computerized system renders the possibility to transmit knowledge to a large target population in relatively short time. By frequent reminders by the hospital management, without implication of any sanctions or coercive measures, a compliance of 77% was achieved. The compliance of nursing and paramedical staff exceeds that of physicians. Personal obligation of nursing and medical managers to the task, along with their use of managing tools seemed to be the most influential factor in promoting compliance. It is important to repeat the performance of the computerized program in fixed intervals in order to refresh the knowledge and strengthen the correct behavior needed for the prevention of HAI.