"Hands off hand hygiene training": Implementation of a COVID safe auditor training program

Area of Science:

• Infection control
• Healthcare education
• Cancer care

Background:

• Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose significant risks, particularly to immunocompromised patients.
• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional in-person training methods in 2020.
• Effective hand hygiene is crucial for mitigating infection transmission in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a revised, flexible learning program for hand hygiene auditors in a cancer care facility.
• To adapt training protocols to pandemic-related restrictions while maintaining educational quality.
• To enhance participation and efficiency in hand hygiene auditing.

Main Methods:

• A revised learning package for hand hygiene auditors was designed and implemented.
• The program incorporated flexibility to accommodate staff schedules and reduce resource demands.
• Managerial promotion was utilized to encourage participation.

Main Results:

• The revised learning program led to a 2-fold increase in participant numbers.
• The training was effective despite reduced time and resource requirements.
• Flexibility of the program was a key factor in its successful adoption.

Conclusions:

• A revised, flexible hand hygiene auditor training program can significantly increase participation.
• Adaptable educational strategies are vital for maintaining essential healthcare training during public health crises.
• The program's success demonstrates the feasibility of efficient, resource-conscious training in specialized care settings.