Evaluating models for Gold Standard hand hygiene auditor training: face-to-face vs on-line approaches

Evaluating models for Gold Standard hand hygiene auditor training: face-to-face vs on-line approaches

DONNA TAYLOR¹, Lyn-li Lim^1,2, SAMANTHA Dickson¹, Kylie Snook¹, Ann Bull¹, Leon Worth<sup>1,2

1</sup>Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS), at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
²University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia


Introduction
The National Hand Hygiene Initiative supports improved hand hygiene compliance of healthcare workers through education, auditing, and feedback. Training of Gold Standard Auditors (GSA) is a core program component. We sought to evaluate and compare existing approaches to GSA training in Victoria.

Methods
Review of GSA training, content and delivery methods was conducted from 2010-2023. Face-to-face training consisted of a mandatory pre-training quiz, interactive learning and group activities and practical auditing sessions. On-line training consisted of self-paced learning, live on-line training sessions and practical auditing session with a GSA. Both required successful completion of two final assessment quizzes.

Results
Between 2010 and 2019, 803 participants attended face-to-face training delivered over 1.5 days, with 86% pass rate. Between 2020 and 2023, 145 participants attended on-line training, completed over 1 week to 3 months, with 68% pass rate. Post-training evaluations identified positive and negative attributes of both methods. On-line training offered increased flexibility and access to training. Face-to-face training offered increased participant interactivity. Participants who did not complete on-line training cited reasons including inability to find time to complete and loss of interest.

Conclusion
Evaluation of GSA training is essential to ensure collection of valid hand hygiene compliance data. In Victoria, face-to-face training is associated with a higher proportion of successfully trained staff, achieved over shorter timeframe, when compared to on-line training. A shift to on-line training only will impact the outcome and time required for GSA training and should be accompanied by additional measures to ensure robust and effective training.

Biography

Donna Taylor is a Registered Nurse with over 30 years’ experience. In 2010, Donna completed Hand Hygiene Auditor training sparking an interest in IPC. Donna has worked as an IPC Clinical Nurse Consultant in Victoria and Queensland, managing health service Hand Hygiene programs. Donna completed a Graduate Certificates in Critical Care in 2018 and in Infection Prevention & Control in 2021. Donna is currently employed as an IPC Nurse Consultant at VICNISS (the Victorian Healthcare Associated Surveillance System) and is currently the Victorian Hand Hygiene jurisdictional coordinator. She works as an IPC consultant at a rural hospital 2-days a week.