Saturday, May 18, 2024
5/18/2024
A Human Factors Approach to Strengthening Infection Prevention and ControlBackground: The proposed project will identify current gaps in infection prevention andcontrol (IPC) practices that are universal to any healthcare setting, and apply theknowledge learned to design didactic interventions that are deployable in anyhealthcare setting, particularly in facilities that may not have the resources to supportthe IPC oversight and training that underpin patient and healthcare provider (HCP)safety.Methods: Specifically, we will leverage expertise in human factors and infectionprevention and control to increase our understanding of the current gaps in the IPCpractices of HCPs, which will involve identifying the ways in which personal protectiveequipment (PPE), HCP behaviors, and devices can fail during routine IPC-relatedactivities, determining why these failures occur (e.g., due to a lack of HCP competencyor deficiencies in the design of PPE), and assessing deficits in knowledge, attitudes,perceptions of HCPs regarding IPC practices.Purpose: To expose these gaps, we will observe HCP behavior during standardizedsimulations of patient care and administer a standardized survey of knowledge,attitudes, and perceptions of HCPs that are relevant to IPC practices. The knowledgewe expect to gain from these activities will inform the development of a low-cost, user-friendly,and evidence-based IPC training program and IPC competency assessment formore routine IPC practices, such as new training procedures that discourage unsaferemoval of PPE and encourage adherence to IPC best practices.Anticipated Outcomes: The proposed project will increase our understanding of currentgaps in IPC practices (particularly those relevant to human factors), improve currenttraining and assessment of HCP IPC competency, and enable healthcare facilities tobetter assess risks and gaps in their own IPC practices.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
