Evaluation of a national educational programme for healthcare workers on prevention and control of healthcare associated infections

• Published in: Journal of research in nursing 2006-11, Vol.11 (6), p.543-557
• Main Authors: West, Bernice J.M., Macduff, Colin, McBain, Maureen, Gass, John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1744-9871; 1744-988X
• DOI: 10.1177/1744987106067137

This paper presents an overview of key findings from an evaluation of a national educational programme that aims to provide healthcare staff with the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure good practice in preventing healthcare associated infections. The research methods comprised literature review, large-scale questionnaire surveys of students and mentors on the Cleanliness Champions Programme, and 20 key-informant interviews. The educational programme was found to be fit for purpose, but there was a need for some restructuring and modifications. Nurses were found to comprise around two-thirds of all registrants on the programme. The study also provided some illumination of initial integration into practice. Cleanliness Champions typically reported substantial impact on their personal practice and many cited examples of influence on colleagues’ practice. However there is an urgent need to ensure that other occupational groups join with nursing by enrolling on the programme in much greater numbers. If this is accompanied by further investment, a critical mass may form that has sufficient multidisciplinary momentum to make good infection prevention and control practices more embedded clinical realities within Scotland. Key lessons from the evaluation are identified that may usefully inform similar initiatives and/or other national healthcare education programmes.