Ask, speak up, and be proactive: Empowering patient infection control to prevent health care-acquired infections

Seale, H; Chughtai, AA; Kaur, R; Crowe, P; Phillipson, L; Novytska, Y; Travaglia, J

Ask, speak up, and be proactive: Empowering patient infection control to prevent health care-acquired infections

Seale, H

Chughtai, AA Kaur, R Crowe, P Phillipson, L Novytska, Y Travaglia, J

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: American Journal of Infection Control, 2015, 43 (5), pp. 447 - 453
Issue Date:: 2015-05-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Seale, H https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1877-5395	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Chughtai, AA	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kaur, R	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Crowe, P	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Phillipson, L	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Novytska, Y	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Travaglia, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7537-0466	en_US
dc.date.available	2015-01-07	en_US
dc.date.issued	2015-05-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	American Journal of Infection Control, 2015, 43 (5), pp. 447 - 453	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0196-6553	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/119023
dc.description.abstract	© 2015 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. All rights reserved. Background Over the last decade, there has been a slow shift toward the more active engagement of patients and families in preventing health care-associated infections (HCAIs). This pilot study aimed to examine the receptiveness of hospital patients toward a new empowerment tool aimed at increasing awareness and engagement of patients in preventing HCAI. Methods Patients from the surgical department were recruited and randomized into 2 groups: active and control. Patients in the active arm were given an empowerment tool, whereas control patients continued with normal practices. Pre- and postsurveys were administered. Results At the baseline survey, just over half of the participants were highly willing to assist with infection control strategies. Participants were significantly more likely to be willing to ask a doctor or nurse a factual question then a challenging question. After discharge, 23 of the 60 patients reported discussing a health concern with a staff member; however, only 3 participants asked a staff member to wash their hands. Conclusion Our results suggest that patients would like to be more informed about HCAIs and are willing to engage with staff members to assist with the prevention of infections while in the hospital setting. Further work is going to need to be undertaken to ascertain the best strategies to promote engagement and participation in infection control activities.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	American Journal of Infection Control	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.ajic.2015.01.007	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Epidemiology	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Cross Infection	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Prospective Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pilot Projects	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Behavior Therapy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Infection Control	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged, 80 and over	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Patients	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Patient Participation	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Disease Transmission, Infectious	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires	en_US
dc.title	Ask, speak up, and be proactive: Empowering patient infection control to prevent health care-acquired infections	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	5	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	43	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	5	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	43	en_US

Abstract:

© 2015 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. All rights reserved. Background Over the last decade, there has been a slow shift toward the more active engagement of patients and families in preventing health care-associated infections (HCAIs). This pilot study aimed to examine the receptiveness of hospital patients toward a new empowerment tool aimed at increasing awareness and engagement of patients in preventing HCAI. Methods Patients from the surgical department were recruited and randomized into 2 groups: active and control. Patients in the active arm were given an empowerment tool, whereas control patients continued with normal practices. Pre- and postsurveys were administered. Results At the baseline survey, just over half of the participants were highly willing to assist with infection control strategies. Participants were significantly more likely to be willing to ask a doctor or nurse a factual question then a challenging question. After discharge, 23 of the 60 patients reported discussing a health concern with a staff member; however, only 3 participants asked a staff member to wash their hands. Conclusion Our results suggest that patients would like to be more informed about HCAIs and are willing to engage with staff members to assist with the prevention of infections while in the hospital setting. Further work is going to need to be undertaken to ascertain the best strategies to promote engagement and participation in infection control activities.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/119023