scholarly journals A Serious Game Designed to Promote Safe Behaviors Among Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Development of “Escape COVID-19”

10.2196/24986 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. e24986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélanie Suppan ◽  
Gaud Catho ◽  
Tomás Robalo Nunes ◽  
Valérie Sauvan ◽  
Monique Perez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Reference Model ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Target Audience ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Hospital Employees ◽  
Care Workers

Background As many countries fear and even experience the emergence of a second wave of COVID-19, reminding health care workers (HCWs) and other hospital employees of the critical role they play in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission is more important than ever. Building and strengthening the intrinsic motivation of HCWs to apply infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines to avoid contaminating their colleagues, patients, friends, and relatives is a goal that must be energetically pursued. A high rate of nosocomial infections during the first COVID-19 wave was detected by IPC specialists and further cemented their belief in the need for an engaging intervention that could improve compliance with COVID-19 safe behaviors. Objective Our aim was to develop a serious game that would promote IPC practices with a specific focus on COVID-19 among HCWs and other hospital employees. Methods The first 3 stages of the SERES framework were used to develop this serious game. A brainswarming session between developers and IPC specialists was used to identify the target audience and acquisition objectives. Nicholson’s RECIPE mnemonic (reflection, engagement, choice, information, play, exposition) for meaningful gamification was used to guide the general design. A common and simple terminology was used to suit the broad target audience. The game was tested on various platforms (smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers) by different users during each development loop and before its final release. Results The game was designed to target all hospital staff who could be in direct contact with patients within the Geneva University Hospitals. In total, 10 acquisition objectives were defined by IPC specialists and implemented into the game according to the principles of meaningful gamification. A simple storyboard was first created using Microsoft PowerPoint and was progressively refined through multiple iteration loops. Articulate Storyline was then used to create two successive versions of the actual game. In the final version, a unique graphic atmosphere was created with help from a professional graphic designer. Feedback mechanisms were used extensively throughout the game to strengthen key IPC messages. Conclusions The SERES framework was successfully used to create “Escape COVID-19,” a serious game designed to promote safe IPC practices among HCWs and other hospital employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. This game can be obtained free of charge for research and educational purposes. A SCORM (shareable content object reference model) package is available to facilitate results and completion tracking on most current learning management systems.

scholarly journals Development of « Escape COVID-19 », a Serious Game Designed to Promote Safe Behaviors Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélanie Suppan ◽  
Gaud Catho ◽  
Tomàs Robalo Nunes ◽  
Valérie Sauvan ◽  
Monique Perez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Target Audience ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Hospital Employees ◽  
Improve Compliance

BACKGROUND As many countries fear and even experience the emergence of a second wave of COVID-19, reminding healthcare workers (HCW) and other hospital employees of the critical role they play in avoiding SARS-CoV-2 transmission is more important than ever. Building and strengthening the intrinsic motivation of HCW to apply infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines to avoid contaminating their colleagues, patients, friends and relatives is a goal that must be energetically pursued. A high rate of nosocomial infections during the first COVID wave was detected by the IPC specialists and further cemented their belief in the need for an engaging intervention which could improve compliance with COVID safe behaviors. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to develop a serious game which would promote IPC practices with a specific focus on COVID-19 among HCW and other hospital employees. METHODS The first three stages of the SERES framework were used to develop this serious game. A brainswarming session between developers and IPC specialists was used to identify the target audience and acquisition objectives. Nicholson’s RECIPE mnemonic (reflection, engagement, choice, information, play, exposition) for meaningful gamification was used to guide the general design. A common and simple terminology was used to suit the broad target audience. The game was tested on various platforms (smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers) by different users during each development loop and before its final release. RESULTS The game was designed to target all hospital staff who could be in direct contact with patients within the Geneva University Hospitals. Ten acquisition objectives were defined by IPC specialists and implemented into the game according to the principles of meaningful gamification. A simple storyboard was first created under Microsoft PowerPoint and progressively refined through multiple iteration loops. Articulate Storyline was then used to create two successive versions of the actual game. In the final version, a unique graphic atmosphere was created thanks to Eric Buche, a professional graphic designer. Feedback mechanisms were used extensively throughout the game to strengthen key IPC messages. CONCLUSIONS The SERES framework was successfully used to create “Escape COVID-19”, a serious game designed to promote safe IPC practices among HCW and other hospital employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals The experience of European hospital-based health care workers on following infection prevention and control procedures for COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise van Hout ◽  
Paul Hutchinson ◽  
Marta Wanat ◽  
Caitlin Pilbeam ◽  
Herman Goossens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTBackgroundWorking under pandemic conditions exposes health care workers (HCWs) to infection risk and psychological strain. Protecting the physical and psychological health of HCWs is a key priority. This study assessed the perceptions of European hospital HCWs of local infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on their emotional wellbeing.MethodsWe performed two rounds of an international cross-sectional survey, between 31 March and 17 April 2020 via existing research networks (round 1), and between 14 May and 31 August 2020 via online convenience sampling (round 2). Main outcome measures were (1) behavioural determinants of HCW adherence with IPC procedures, (2) WHO-5 Well-Being Index, a validated scale of 0-100 reflecting emotional wellbeing. The WHO-5 was interpreted as a score below or above 50 points, a cut-off score used in previous literature to screen for depression.Results2,289 HCWs (round 1: n=190, round 2: n=2,099) from 40 countries in Europe participated. Mean age of respondents was 42 (±11) years, 66% were female, 47% and 39% were medical doctors and nurses, respectively. 74% (n=1699) of HCWs were directly treating patients with COVID-19, of which 32% (n=527) reported they were fearful of caring for these patients. HCWs reported high levels of concern about COVID-19 infection risk to themselves (71%) and their family (82%) as a result of their job. 40% of HCWs considered that getting infected with COVID-19 was not within their control. This was more common among junior than senior HCWs (46% versus 38%, P value <.01). Sufficient COVID-19-specific IPC training, confidence in PPE use and institutional trust were positively associated with the feeling that becoming infected with COVID-19 was within their control. Female HCWs were more likely than males to report a WHO-5 score below 50 points (aOR 1.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-1.8).ConclusionsIn Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a differential impact on those providing direct COVID-19 patient care, junior staff and women. Health facilities must be aware of these differential impacts, build trust and provide tailored support for this vital workforce during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Universal COVID-19 screening of 4040 health care workers in a resource-limited setting: an Egyptian pilot model in a university with 12 public hospitals and medical centers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Mostafa ◽  
Sahar Kandil ◽  
Manal H El-Sayed ◽  
Samia Girgis ◽  
Hala Hafez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Pilot Model ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background The scale of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among health care workers (HCWs), particularly in resource-limited settings, remains unclear. To address this concern, universal (non-symptom-based) screening of HCWs was piloted to determine the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the associated epidemiological and clinical risk factors at a large public health care facility in Egypt. Methods Baseline voluntary screening of 4040 HCWs took place between 22 April and 14 May 2020 at 12 hospitals and medical centres in Cairo. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected using an online survey. All participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid IgM and IgG serological tests. Results Of the 4040 HCWs screened, 170 [4.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.6-4.9] tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by either of the three tests (i.e. infected); 125/170 (73.5%) tested PCR-positive. Most infected HCWs were nurses (97/170, 57.5%). Median age of infected HCWs was 31.5 [interquartile range (IQR): 27.0–41.3] years. Of infected HCWs, 78 (45.9%) reported contact with a suspected case and 47 (27.6%) reported face-to-face contact within 2 m with a confirmed case. The proportion of infection among symptomatic HCWs (n = 54/616) was 8.8% (95% CI: 6.7-11.3); 6/54 (11.1%) had fever ≥38°C and 7/54 (13.0%) reported severe symptoms. Most infected HCWs were asymptomatic (116/170, 68.2%). The proportion of infection among asymptomatic HCWs (n = 116/3424) was 3.4% (95% CI: 2.8-4.0). Conclusions The high rate of asymptomatic infections among HCWs reinforces the need for expanding universal regular testing. The infection rate among symptomatic HCWs in this study is comparable with the national rate detected through symptom-based testing. This suggests that infections among HCWs may reflect community rather than nosocomial transmission during the early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in Egypt.

scholarly journals Infection prevention and control, pillar for safety of healthcare worker: COVID-19 experience, Patan Hospital, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-96
Author(s):  
Piyush Rajbhandari ◽  
Deveshree Dongol
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Healthcare Worker ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
And Control

Infection prevention and control (IPC) programs play an integral part in the safety of patients, visitors, health care workers and environment as these programs provide guidelines and standard for recognition, prevention and control of infection. With COVID-19 pandemic, Patan Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal, is amongst the few hospitals in Nepal to have undertaken the responsibility of managing COVID patients. The COVID response plan has been activated and is currently the best prepared institution to manage this pandemic.

Understanding the Predictors that Contribute to Liberian Health Care Workers Feeling Protected From Ebola While at Work

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kayla Enriquez ◽  
Kanagasabai Udhayashankar ◽  
Michelle Niescierenko
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Returning To Work ◽  
Care Worker ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess Liberian health care workers’ feelings around safety in returning to work in the setting of the Ebola virus disease outbreak of 2014–2015 after receiving infection prevention and control (IPC) training. Methods: Academic Consortium Combating Ebola in Liberia (ACCEL) training surveys were done at 21 public, Liberian hospitals to understand health care workers’ attitudes surrounding Ebola and whether they felt safe while at work based on multiple factors. Logistic regression was used for analysis. Results: We found that health care workers feeling safe at work during the Ebola outbreak was primarily predicted by the number of IPC/Ebola trainings received pre-ACCEL interventions. Health care workers felt increasingly safer and motivated to return to work as trainings approached 3 (OR 8, p-value < 0.001); however, more than 3 trainings resulted in decreased safety and motivation. In addition, health care workers who reported washing their hands before and after patient contact were 3.4 times more likely to understand how to protect themselves from Ebola. Conclusions: These results help to better understand the utility of repeated trainings on health care worker practice attitudes and the importance of IPC policies within hospitals, such as hand hygiene promotion and education, when coordinating humanitarian efforts.

scholarly journals Health Literacy, eHealth Literacy, Adherence to Infection Prevention and Control Procedures, Lifestyle Changes, and Suspected COVID-19 Symptoms Among Health Care Workers During Lockdown: Online Survey

10.2196/22894 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. e22894
Author(s):  
Binh N Do ◽  
Tien V Tran ◽  
Dung T Phan ◽  
Hoang C Nguyen ◽  
Thao T P Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Lower Likelihood ◽  
And Control

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a heavy burden on health care systems and governments. Health literacy (HL) and eHealth literacy (as measured by the eHealth Literacy Scale [eHEALS]) are recognized as strategic public health elements but they have been underestimated during the pandemic. HL, eHEALS score, practices, lifestyles, and the health status of health care workers (HCWs) play crucial roles in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the eHEALS and examine associations of HL and eHEALS scores with adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures, lifestyle changes, and suspected COVID-19 symptoms among HCWs during lockdown. Methods We conducted an online survey of 5209 HCWs from 15 hospitals and health centers across Vietnam from April 6 to April 19, 2020. Participants answered questions related to sociodemographics, HL, eHEALS, adherence to IPC procedures, behavior changes in eating, smoking, drinking, and physical activity, and suspected COVID-19 symptoms. Principal component analysis, correlation analysis, and bivariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to validate the eHEALS and examine associations. Results The eHEALS had a satisfactory construct validity with 8 items highly loaded on one component, with factor loadings ranked from 0.78 to 0.92 explaining 76.34% of variance; satisfactory criterion validity as correlated with HL (ρ=0.42); satisfactory convergent validity with high item-scale correlations (ρ=0.80-0.84); and high internal consistency (Cronbach α=.95). HL and eHEALS scores were significantly higher in men (unstandardized coefficient [B]=1.01, 95% CI 0.57-1.45, P<.001; B=0.72, 95% CI 0.43-1.00, P<.001), those with a better ability to pay for medication (B=1.65, 95% CI 1.25-2.05, P<.001; B=0.60, 95% CI 0.34-0.86, P<.001), doctors (B=1.29, 95% CI 0.73-1.84, P<.001; B 0.56, 95% CI 0.20-0.93, P=.003), and those with epidemic containment experience (B=1.96, 95% CI 1.56-2.37, P<.001; B=0.64, 95% CI 0.38-0.91, P<.001), as compared to their counterparts, respectively. HCWs with higher HL or eHEALS scores had better adherence to IPC procedures (B=0.13, 95% CI 0.10-0.15, P<.001; B=0.22, 95% CI 0.19-0.26, P<.001), had a higher likelihood of healthy eating (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P=.001; OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.07, P=.002), were more physically active (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.03, P<.001; OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03-1.05, P<.001), and had a lower likelihood of suspected COVID-19 symptoms (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.98, P<.001; OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95-0.98, P<.001), respectively. Conclusions The eHEALS is a valid and reliable survey tool. Gender, ability to pay for medication, profession, and epidemic containment experience were independent predictors of HL and eHEALS scores. HCWs with higher HL or eHEALS scores had better adherence to IPC procedures, healthier lifestyles, and a lower likelihood of suspected COVID-19 symptoms. Efforts to improve HCWs’ HL and eHEALS scores can help to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and minimize its consequences.

Disconnects in design and infection prevention and control – how the design of products and the environment in neonatal intensive care may be undermining infection prevention practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal Trudel ◽  
Sue Cobb ◽  
Kathryn Momtahan ◽  
Janet Brintnell ◽  
Ann Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Transmission ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
And Control

This study examined the role design plays in infection prevention and control within an existing neonatal intensive care unit. Methods from human-centred design such as planning, stakeholder meetings and naturalistic observation were used to obtain infection prevention information related to the existing unit design, interactions with products and the environment, and perspectives of front-line staff on design. Thematic analysis was used to categorize and structure the issues that were identified. The analysis revealed that the design of products and the environment may be undermining best practice in infection prevention. Health care workers experience a variety of difficulties in maintaining the recommended barriers to infection transmission, difficulties which stem from deficiencies in products and the environment. Various aspects of the neonatal care design lack the feedback or supports needed to help health care workers differentiate or work between infection transmission zones making the design challenging to use or maintain in a manner that supports best practice in infection prevention. Identifying issues in the design of products and the environment related to infection prevention practice led to the development of a ‘Design Exploration Guide’. The guide outlines issues and strategies for remediation based on feasibility within the project constraints.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated factors in health care workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petros Galanis ◽  
Irene Vraka ◽  
Despoina Fragkou ◽  
Angeliki Bilali ◽  
Daphne Kaitelidou
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Test ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Positive Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Care Workers

SummaryBackgroundHealth care workers (HCWs) represent a high risk population for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.AimTo determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs, and to find out the factors that are associated with this seroprevalence.MethodsThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were applied for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Databases including PubMed/MEDLINE and pre-print services (medRχiv and bioRχiv) were searched from inception up to August 24, 2020.FindingsForty-nine studies, including 127,480 HCWs met the inclusion criteria. The estimated overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs was 8.7% (95% CI: 6.7-10.9%). Seroprevalence was higher in studies that were conducted in North America (12.7%) compared to those in Europe (8.5%), Africa (8.2), and Asia (4%). Meta-regression showed that increased sensitivity of antibodies test was associated with increased seroprevalence. The following factors were associated with seropositivity: male gender, Black, Asian, and Hispanic HCWs, work in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) unit, patient-related work, frontline health care workers, health care assistants, personal protective equipment shortage, self-reported belief for previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, previous positive polymerase chain reaction test, and household contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.ConclusionThe seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs is high. Excellent adherence to infection prevention and control measures, sufficient and adequate personal protective equipment, and early recognition, identification and isolation of HCWs that are infected with SARS-CoV-2 are imperative to decrease the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Disconnects in design and infection prevention and control – how the design of products and the environment in neonatal intensive care may be undermining infection prevention practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 691-696
Author(s):  
Chantal Trudel ◽  
Sue Cobb ◽  
Kathryn Momtahan ◽  
Janet Brintnell ◽  
Ann Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Transmission ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
And Control

This study examined the role design plays in infection prevention and control within an existing neonatal intensive care unit. Methods from human-centred design such as planning, stakeholder meetings and naturalistic observation were used to obtain infection prevention information related to the existing unit design, interactions with products and the environment, and perspectives of front-line staff on design. Thematic analysis was used to categorize and structure the issues that were identified. The analysis revealed that the design of products and the environment may be undermining best practice in infection prevention. Health care workers experience a variety of difficulties in maintaining the recommended barriers to infection transmission, difficulties which stem from deficiencies in products and the environment. Various aspects of the neonatal care design lack the feedback or supports needed to help health care workers differentiate or work between infection transmission zones making the design challenging to use or maintain in a manner that supports best practice in infection prevention. Identifying issues in the design of products and the environment related to infection prevention practice led to the development of a ‘Design Exploration Guide’. The guide outlines issues and strategies for remediation based on feasibility within the project constraints.

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