Adapting the Germ Defence Web-Based Intervention to Improve Infection Prevention and Control in Care Homes: Interview...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare quality improvement
• Digital health interventions
• Behavior change science

Background:

• Infection prevention and control (IPC) is critical in care homes, reducing morbidity and mortality.
• Implementing effective IPC practices in care homes presents ongoing challenges.
• Digital behavior change interventions show promise for enhancing IPC among care home staff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the rapid adaptation of the evidence-based digital intervention, Germ Defence, for care home settings.
• To assess the suitability and effectiveness of Germ Defence within the unique care home environment.

Main Methods:

• The study employed a person-based approach with iterative user feedback.
• Phases included website edits, stakeholder consultations, and think-aloud interviews with 21 care home staff.
• Qualitative descriptive analysis was used to summarize findings from interview data.

Main Results:

• Feedback on Germ Defence was mixed regarding attractiveness and contextual suitability.
• Participants desired more engaging content (audio/video) and better alignment of images with text.
• Relevance was acknowledged, but effectiveness as a standalone training tool was questioned; goal-setting mechanisms require refinement.

Conclusions:

• Significant modifications are needed to enhance Germ Defence's engagement, accessibility, and relevance for care home staff.
• Rapidly adapting digital interventions to new contexts poses considerable challenges.
• Future research should prioritize pragmatic methodologies focused on implementation for digital IPC tools in care homes.