Reducing health care-associated infections: Patients want to be engaged and learn about infection prevention

• Published in: American journal of infection control 2013-11, Vol.41 (11), p.955-958
• Main Authors: Gudnadottir, Unnur, MS, Fritz, Jessica, Zerbel, Sara, MS, Bernardo, Alyssa, BS, Sethi, Ajay K., PhD, MHS, Safdar, Nasia, MD, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic Medical Centers; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antibacterial agents; Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Biological and medical sciences; Clostridium difficile; Cross Infection - prevention & control; Disease control; Drug resistance; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; Female; General aspects; Health education; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models; Humans; Infection Control; Infection Control - methods; Infection Control - organization & administration; Infections; Infectious Disease; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Multidrug-resistant organisms; Nosocomial infections; Patient activation; Patient education; Patient Education as Topic - methods; Patient Participation - methods; Patient Participation - psychology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tertiary Healthcare; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2013.03.310

Background Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are common in health care-associated infection (HAI). The aim of this study was to examine patient's willingness to learn about MDROs and HAIs and their preferred ways of education about MDRO HAIs. Methods Interviewer-administered questionnaire at a tertiary care academic medical center. We recruited a sample of 100 adult patients who had HAI and were placed in contact precautions. Results Ninety-six percent of patients had heard of MDROs. Ninety-eight percent of patients thought that their involvement in learning about MDROs was very important or important. Most of the patients thought that receiving information about MDROs would probably or definitely help them to make choices that would improve their health care. Patients expressed interest in more than 1 form of educational material: 70% chose written material, 57% verbal information, 53% an informational video, and 50% Internet-based material. Patients with a higher level of education were more likely to prefer written material. Patients emphasized simple language and incorporation of actual patient stories. Conclusion Hospitalized patients with MDROs in our study believed that involvement on their part was important. Individuals' level of education affected their preference regarding choice of educational material, but most patients prefered receiving written or verbal information. Patient preferences must be incorporated into education to increase engagement for prevention of MDROs and HAIs.