College
College of Arts and Sciences
Mentor Information
Dr. Donna Lee Ettel-Gambino
Description
Health care associated infections (HAI) remain a significant challenge for hospitals and may negatively affect patient outcomes if infection control practices are not consistently followed. A very important indicator of the safety and quality of health care is hand washing as it demonstrates the link between good hygiene practices and low health care related infection rates 1,2. This study examined how infection control practices differed across clinical units. A quantitative, causal- comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the unit the patient was assigned to. Student researchers paired with faculty and infection control practitioners (ICP) and the dependent variables consisted of observations including: 1) Staff washed hands upon entering the patient room; 2) staff washed hands after handling objects; 3) staff washed their hands upon exiting the room, and 4) staff used PPE appropriately. Initially, a MANOVA was conducted to compare differences across clinical groups. For significant findings, one way ANOVA contrasts were conducted on each dependent variable. The MANOVA results identified statistically significant differences as evidenced by Wilks 32, 1123) = 0.81, p>0.0004. One-way ANOVA contrasts identified one significant criterion: It was chilling to note that less than half of staff members (35%) washed their hands after handling objects (p>.05). By identifying areas where compliance is inconsistent, health care organizations can prioritize interventions that strengthen infection prevention protocols and improve patient safety outcomes. By identifying areas where compliance is inconsistent, healthcare organizations can prioritize interventions that strengthen infection prevention protocols and improve safety.
Leveraging Infection Control Practices to Maximize Quality Patient Outcomes
Health care associated infections (HAI) remain a significant challenge for hospitals and may negatively affect patient outcomes if infection control practices are not consistently followed. A very important indicator of the safety and quality of health care is hand washing as it demonstrates the link between good hygiene practices and low health care related infection rates 1,2. This study examined how infection control practices differed across clinical units. A quantitative, causal- comparative design was used to identify differences across groups. The independent variable was the unit the patient was assigned to. Student researchers paired with faculty and infection control practitioners (ICP) and the dependent variables consisted of observations including: 1) Staff washed hands upon entering the patient room; 2) staff washed hands after handling objects; 3) staff washed their hands upon exiting the room, and 4) staff used PPE appropriately. Initially, a MANOVA was conducted to compare differences across clinical groups. For significant findings, one way ANOVA contrasts were conducted on each dependent variable. The MANOVA results identified statistically significant differences as evidenced by Wilks 32, 1123) = 0.81, p>0.0004. One-way ANOVA contrasts identified one significant criterion: It was chilling to note that less than half of staff members (35%) washed their hands after handling objects (p>.05). By identifying areas where compliance is inconsistent, health care organizations can prioritize interventions that strengthen infection prevention protocols and improve patient safety outcomes. By identifying areas where compliance is inconsistent, healthcare organizations can prioritize interventions that strengthen infection prevention protocols and improve safety.
