Using simulation and inter-professional education to teach infection prevention during resuscitation

Abstract

Introduction: During resuscitations, healthcare professionals (HCPs) find balancing the need for timely resuscitation and adherence to infection prevention (IP) measures difficult. This study explored the effects of an innovative teaching method, using in-situ simulation and inter-professional education to enhance compliance to IP through better inter-professional collaboration. Methods: The study was conducted in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) in a 1200-beds teaching hospital. HCPs working in the SICU were conveniently allocated to the intervention or control group based on their work roster. The intervention group attended an in-situ simulated scenario on managing cardiac arrest in an infectious patient. The control group completed the standard institution-wide infection control eLearning module. Outcomes measured were: (a) attitudes towards inter-professional teamwork [TeamSTEPPS Teamwork Attitudes Questionnaire (TAQ)], (b) infection prevention knowledge test, (c) self-evaluated confidence in dealing with infectious patients and (d) intensive care unit (ICU) audits on infection prevention compliance during actual resuscitations. Results: 40 HCPs were recruited. 29 responded (71%) to the pre- and post-workshop questionnaires. There were no significant differences in the TeamSTEPPS TAQ and infection prevention knowledge score between the groups. However, ICU audits demonstrated a 60% improvement in IP compliance for endotracheal tube insertion and 50% improvement in parenteral medication administration. This may be attributed to the debriefing session where IP staff shared useful tips on compliance to IP measures during resuscitation and identified threats that could deter IP compliance in SICU. Conclusion: Learning infection prevention through simulated inter-professional education (IPE) workshops may lead to increased IP compliance in clinical settings.