Improving Infection Prevention and Control: The Role of Educational Training for Healthcare Staff in a Tertiary Care Hospital

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Abstract Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) present substantial risks within healthcare facilities, resulting in heightened morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditures globally. Implementing robust infection prevention and control (IPC) measures is crucial for mitigating these risks and safeguarding patients and healthcare workers (HCWs). Objective: The study focused on evaluating the effects of an educational training intervention on IPC knowledge and practices among HCWs at a tertiary care center. Methodology: The study was conducted at the tertiary care center of Gujarat involving 129 nursing staff members, 51 doctors and 45 housekeeping staff. The study investigated the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving nursing knowledge. Participants initially completed a pretest to assess their baseline knowledge. Subsequently, they engaged in a full-day educational program. This program incorporated stimulation-based case scenarios blended with visual aids, interactive lectures, role play exercises and practical training sessions. Following the intervention, participants completed a new posttest with similar questions to evaluate the impact and understanding of the program. Finally, we compared the pre and posttest scores to determine the effectiveness of the educational intervention. Results: The educational intervention significantly improved IPC knowledge among HCWs. Posttest scores increased from a mean of 11.22% (±2.49%) to 15.56% (±1.96%), with a P < 0.0001. Conclusion: Continuous training and education play a crucial role in reducing HAIs and enhancing patient safety. Future research should explore the long-term sustainability of knowledge gains and their impact on infection rates and patient outcomes.