‘Hands off hand hygiene training’: implementation of a COVID safe auditor training program at a quaternary cancer health service

Ms Cheryl Faul1, Ms Elizabeth Gillespie1, Ms Anna Lillas1, Ms Lela Jevtovic1, Mr Leon Worth1,2

1Infection Prevention Department, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne/Parkville, Australia
2National Centre for Infections in Cancer (NCIC)Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3000

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, enhanced hand hygiene (HH) auditing and compliance are essential in all healthcare facilities. Vigilance with hand hygiene is particularly required to reduce risks for infection transmission in the setting of cancer care. We report the development and implementation of a module for hand hygiene auditor training at a quaternary cancer centre during a period where face-to-face training was not possible.

Methods: A 9-stage learning management system (LMS) module was developed to replace face-to-face learning. This ensured trainees could undertake prerequisite reading and preparation prior to participation in auditing activities. Early completion of training was permitted (within a 2 week period). Participation in clinical auditing was then performed while maintaining physical distancing. The learning package, process and outcome measures were approved by National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI).

Results: All training was completed electronically and concluded with participation in a 45 minute face-to-face auditing session with a gold standard auditor. The LMS package saved 8 hours of trainer time per session. Managers allocated training times to participants while structuring rosters, enabling enhanced learning opportunities and responsiveness to clinical workloads. During training, the number of errors was notably reduced and since implementation the requirement to follow up auditors, during data validation, also reduced.

Conclusion: This innovative HH training package reduced time and resources, enhancing HH auditor training capacity, and was aligned with recommendations for COVID risk mitigation. The module has application for other facilities, including non-cancer settings.


Biography:

Cheryl is employed at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in the Infection Prevention Department as a Clinical Nurse Consultant. She has 21 years in Surgical, Cancer and Radiation nursing experience.

The last 7 years has been in infection prevention with a portfolio consisting of coordinating and conducting workshops,  product review, immunisation, infection surveillance, data management and report writing to enhance compliance to National Standard 3.

Cheryl obtained Gold standard status in 2013 enabling her to promote hand hygiene across all designations and coordinate the program during her career in Infection Prevention.

Date

Nov 10 2021
Expired!

Time

11:20 am - 11:30 am

Local Time

  • Timezone: America/New_York
  • Date: Nov 09 2021
  • Time: 7:20 pm - 7:30 pm