Nursing: Research and Reviews (Jul 2024)

Knowledge and Skills in Infection Prevention and Control Measures Amongst Visitors to Long-Term Care Homes: A Mixed methods Study

  • Gibbons C,
  • Durepos P,
  • Taylor N,
  • Keeping-Burke L,
  • Rogers MW,
  • Furlong KE,
  • McCloskey RM

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 149 – 159

Abstract

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Caroline Gibbons,1 Pamela Durepos,2 Natasha Taylor,3 Lisa Keeping-Burke,3 Matt W Rogers,4 Karen E Furlong,3 Rose M McCloskey3 1School of Nursing, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada; 2Faculty of Nursing, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada; 3Department of Nursing & Health Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada; 4Faculty of Education, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, CanadaCorrespondence: Caroline Gibbons, School of Nursing, 18 Antonine-Maillet Ave, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada, Email [email protected]: This mixed methods study aimed to assess the knowledge and skills related to infection prevention and control amongst visitors to long-term care homes following the removal of visiting restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.Methods: Forty visitors to residents in long-term care homes were recruited. Participants’ knowledge of the Covid-19, infection prevention and control practices, and self-reported use of protective behaviours were assessed through questionnaires. Handwashing skills, donning and doffing of personal protective equipment and decision-making surrounding hand hygiene moments were assessed through laboratory simulation using observation checklists.Results: Participants’ level of knowledge and perceived use of protective behaviours were high. However, no one accurately performed the handwashing steps, few (5.0%) performed all hand hygiene moments recommended, 35.0% donned personal protective equipment and only 12.5% doffed correctly. This is concerning because 90.0% of participants reported receiving infection prevention and control training.Conclusion: These findings suggest educational interventions, resources and policies are needed to strengthen infection prevention and control training for visitors’ to long-term care.Keywords: long-term care, handwashing utilization, personal protective equipment utilization, simulation

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