A Serious Game for On-the-Ward Infection Control Awareness Training: Ward Off Infection

Background

Research into infection control on hospital has previously indicated that lack of theoretical knowledge is not a significant factor in ward hygiene, and that attitude plays a more predominant role (de Wandel, Maes, Labeau, Vereecken, & Blot, 2010). As such, whilst training programmes focussing on knowledge transfer have value to a student audience, a comprehensive training solution targeted at minimizing nonsocomial infection must engender attitudinal change amongst clinical staff. In a large-scale survey, key factors in hand hygiene were identified as clinical role, gender, working in an intensive care unit, working during weekdays rather than weekends, and the number of opportunities for hand hygiene arising per hour of nursing care (Pittet, 2001). Whilst this study supports the notion that nurses are responsible for a proportionally smaller number of violations of infection control policy than clinical staff in other roles, continued support and training for nursing staff in maintaining best-practice in a high-pressure environment is essential in minimising the risk of healthcare associated infection (HCAI). This is supported by findings linking workload to increased rates of nonsocomial infection (Kibbler, Quick, & O’Neill, 1998), as well as those of demonstrating the impact of improper management and placement of patients with infectious conditions on HCAI (Coia et al., 2006). Infections primarily spread by hand contact, for example MRSA highlight the importance of adherence to hand-washing policy and best-practice, though effective infection control requires multiple factors be addressed (Dancer, 2010), further reinforcing the notion that both long-term behaviour and momentary lapses, rather than knowledge transfer, must be the focus of training programmes seeking to reduce HCAI rates.