Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2025
Author Spotlight: Evaluating Clinicians' Adoption of Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Cannulation Through Simulation Training
Published on: August 9, 2024
High-consequence infectious diseases: the conception and development of a multi-disciplinary, interprofessional
L Sowole1, R Kainth2, C Tuudah3
1Directorate of Infection, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Simulation and Interactive Learning Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Background:
High-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) represent a group of acute infectious diseases with the potential to impact healthcare systems and public health profoundly. Effective management requires a system-based strategy focused on early detection, initiation of infection prevention and control measures, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Inadequate training in the safe use of HCID PPE, and lack of familiarity with key processes such as HCID waste and spills management, exacerbates the risk posed to healthcare workers (HCWs). Enhanced training opportunities are required to ensure that staff are equipped with the necessary knowledge and capabilities to protect themselves from pathogen exposure and infection.
Aim:
To create a bespoke interprofessional HCID simulation training programme.
Methods:
A detailed learning needs analysis was undertaken, which identified multiple areas amenable to educational intervention. A full-day HCID simulation programme was developed, providing HCWs the opportunity to practice and gain proficiency in various domains.
Findings:
Six interprofessional participants took part in the HCID simulation programme pilot. All six (100%) participants felt that the stated learning objectives had been achieved, and five and one participants found the programme to be extremely useful (83%) or very useful (17%), respectively. Following refinement based on pilot feedback, a further six courses have been run for 38 participants, of whom 97% found the programme to be extremely useful or very useful.
Conclusion:
The development of a training intervention in the low-frequency, high-risk field of HCIDs had a positive impact. Given the disproportionate impact on HCWs at times of HCID outbreaks, more investment is needed to keep the workforce upskilled.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
01:20Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:28International Nursing Organizations II
The WHO provides expert team support, including funding, vaccines, testing, and treatment tools at the country level to fight...
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...