Nationwide Deployment of a Serious Game Designed to Improve COVID-19 Infection Prevention Practices: Prospective Web-Based Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Suppan ◽  
Loric Stuby ◽  
Stephan Harbarth ◽  
Christophe Fehlmann ◽  
Sophia Achab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Educational Training ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Willingness To Recommend ◽  
And Control

BACKGROUND Regular or too aggressive COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) campaigns might prove inefficient and could even turn out to be counterproductive because of the rather high degree of mistrust towards the authorities. Serious games represent an original, engaging, and potentially effective way of disseminating COVID-19 IPC guidelines. OBJECTIVE Escape COVID-19, a serious game designed to teach COVID-19 IPC practices, was previously validated in nursing home personnel. The objective of this study was to identify the factors facilitating or impeding the intention of changing IPC behavior after following this game in a larger and more heterogeneous population after national rollout. METHODS This fully-automated prospective web-based study, compliant with the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES), was conducted in all 3 main language regions of Switzerland. After creating an account on a specific web platform, participants were asked to fill in a short demographic questionnaire before accessing the serious game. A second questionnaire was then displayed and had to be completed to obtain a course completion certificate. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants reporting they were willing to change their IPC behavior. Secondary outcomes were the IPC areas affected by this willingness and the presumed evolution in the use of specific personal protective equipment items. The elements associated with the intention of changing IPC behavior, or lack thereof, were also assessed. Other secondary outcomes were the subjective perceptions regarding length, difficulty, meaningfulness and usefulness of the serious game, impression of engagement and of boredom while playing it, and willingness to recommend its use to friends or colleagues. RESULTS From March 9th to June 9th 2021, a total of 3’227 accounts were created on the platform and 1’104 participants (34.2%) completed the post-game questionnaire. A total of 509 participants (46.1%) answered that they intended to change their IPC behavior after playing the game. Among the others, most (86%, 512/595) answered that they were already applying these guidelines. Participants who followed the German version were less likely to intend to change their IPC behavior (OR 0.48 [95%CI 0.24 to 0.96], P=.038) and found the game less engaging (P<.001). Conversely, participants aged 53 years or older had a stronger intention of changing IPC behavior (OR 2.07 [95%CI 1.44 to 2.97], P<.001). CONCLUSIONS "Escape COVID-19" is a useful tool to enhance correct IPC measures on a national scale, even after 2 COVID-19 pandemic waves. However, its impact was affected by language, age category, and previous educational training, and adaptations should be performed to enhance its impact on specific populations.

scholarly journals Impact of a Serious Game on the Intention to Change Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Web-Based Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Suppan ◽  
Mohamed Abbas ◽  
Gaud Catho ◽  
Loric Stuby ◽  
Simon Regard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
And Control

BACKGROUND Nursing home residents are at high risk of complications and death due to COVID-19. Lack of resources, both human and material, amplifies the likelihood of contamination in these facilities where a single employee can contaminate dozens of residents and colleagues. Improving the dissemination of and adhesion to infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines is therefore essential. Serious games have been shown to be effective in developing knowledge and in increasing engagement, and could motivate nursing home employees to change their IPC practices. OBJECTIVE Our aim is to assess the impact of “Escape COVID-19,” a serious game designed to enhance knowledge and application of IPC procedures, on the intention of nursing home employees to change their IPC practices. METHODS We will carry out a web-based randomized controlled trial following the CONSORT-EHEALTH (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials of Electronic and Mobile Health Applications and Online Telehealth) guidelines and incorporating relevant elements of CHERRIES (Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys). Participants will be randomized to either the control or the serious game (intervention) group. First, both groups will be asked to answer a questionnaire designed to gather demographic data and assess baseline knowledge. The control group will then receive a quick reminder of the current national guidelines and links to IPC guidelines for health care professionals, while the other group will play the game. Both groups will then have to answer a second questionnaire designed to assess their willingness to change their IPC practices after having followed their respective material. After completing this questionnaire, they will be granted access to the material presented to the group they were not assigned to and receive a course completion certificate. The primary outcome will be the proportion of participants willing to change their IPC practices according to group. Secondary outcomes will include the analysis of specific questions detailing the exact changes considered by the participants. Factors associated with participant willingness or reluctance to change behavior will also be assessed. Attrition will also be assessed at each stage of the study. RESULTS The study protocol has been presented to our regional ethics committee (Req-2020-01262), which issued a declaration of no objection as such projects do not fall within the scope of the Swiss federal law on human research. Data collection began on November 5, 2020, and should be completed by December 4, 2020. CONCLUSIONS This study should determine whether “Escape COVID-19,” a serious game designed to improve compliance with COVID-19 safe practices, modifies the intention to follow IPC guidelines among nursing home employees. CLINICALTRIAL INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/25595

scholarly journals Impact of a Serious Game on the Intention to Change Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Web-Based Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/25595 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e25595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Suppan ◽  
Mohamed Abbas ◽  
Gaud Catho ◽  
Loric Stuby ◽  
Simon Regard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
And Control

Background Nursing home residents are at high risk of complications and death due to COVID-19. Lack of resources, both human and material, amplifies the likelihood of contamination in these facilities where a single employee can contaminate dozens of residents and colleagues. Improving the dissemination of and adhesion to infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines is therefore essential. Serious games have been shown to be effective in developing knowledge and in increasing engagement, and could motivate nursing home employees to change their IPC practices. Objective Our aim is to assess the impact of “Escape COVID-19,” a serious game designed to enhance knowledge and application of IPC procedures, on the intention of nursing home employees to change their IPC practices. Methods We will carry out a web-based randomized controlled trial following the CONSORT-EHEALTH (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials of Electronic and Mobile Health Applications and Online Telehealth) guidelines and incorporating relevant elements of CHERRIES (Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys). Participants will be randomized to either the control or the serious game (intervention) group. First, both groups will be asked to answer a questionnaire designed to gather demographic data and assess baseline knowledge. The control group will then receive a quick reminder of the current national guidelines and links to IPC guidelines for health care professionals, while the other group will play the game. Both groups will then have to answer a second questionnaire designed to assess their willingness to change their IPC practices after having followed their respective material. After completing this questionnaire, they will be granted access to the material presented to the group they were not assigned to and receive a course completion certificate. The primary outcome will be the proportion of participants willing to change their IPC practices according to group. Secondary outcomes will include the analysis of specific questions detailing the exact changes considered by the participants. Factors associated with participant willingness or reluctance to change behavior will also be assessed. Attrition will also be assessed at each stage of the study. Results The study protocol has been presented to our regional ethics committee (Req-2020-01262), which issued a declaration of no objection as such projects do not fall within the scope of the Swiss federal law on human research. Data collection began on November 5, 2020, and should be completed by December 4, 2020. Conclusions This study should determine whether “Escape COVID-19,” a serious game designed to improve compliance with COVID-19 safe practices, modifies the intention to follow IPC guidelines among nursing home employees. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/25595

Effective infection prevention and control strategies in a large accredited psychiatric facility in Singapore

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Poremski ◽  
Sandra Henrietta Subner ◽  
Grace Lam Fong Kin ◽  
Raveen Dev Ram Dev ◽  
Mok Yee Ming ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Psychiatric Facility ◽  
Essential Services ◽  
Community Transmission ◽  
And Control

The Institute of Mental Health in Singapore continues to attempt to prevent the introduction of COVID-19, despite community transmission. Essential services are maintained and quarantine measures are currently unnecessary. To help similar organizations, strategies are listed along three themes: sustaining essential services, preventing infection, and managing human and consumable resources.

Barriers to infection prevention and control practice among Amhara region teaching hospitals in Ethiopia: Qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Walelegn Worku Yallew ◽  
Abera Kumie ◽  
Feleke Moges Yehuala
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Worker ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Amhara Region ◽  
Implementation Barriers ◽  
Control Practice ◽  
And Control

Healthcare workers have good perception towards infection prevention, but there has been a poor practice towards it. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore barriers to practice of infection prevention and control practice in teaching hospitals in Amhara region. A phenomenological approach used to explore the lived experience of healthcare workers and management staffs towards infection prevention practice and control. The data was collected from ten in-depth interviews and 23 focus group discussion participants, by face to face interview using open ended interview performed in safe and quiet places. Data was managed using OpenCode software version 4.03 and contents were analyzed thematically. Totally ten different barriers were identified, such as availability of facilities, shortage of material supply, lack of maintenance of facilities and equipment, high patient flow, experience, emergency situation, healthcare worker behaviour and healthcare worker’s information about infection prevention, low awareness of patients and visitors and overflow of families and visitors to the hospital. For effective infection prevention practice implementation, barriers should be considered via identifying specific organizational, healthcare worker, patients and visitors as targets.

scholarly journals Infection control practices and challenges in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
pp. 175717742110127
Author(s):  
Salma Abbas ◽  
Faisal Sultan
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
And Control

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.

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