RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Medical professionals have a key role in active patient involvement in infection control and prevention (ICP). ICP of hospital-associated infections is critical for patient safety and requires targeted integration of patients and their relatives. The possibilities of proper involvement are identified, tested and realized in the innovative AHOI project. Its acronym stands for Activation, Help, Open communication and Infection prevention. The project is based on the three dimensions acceptance, empowerment and adherence. The results presented here are from a health-care professional (HCP) focused part of a pilot study to implement AHOI intervention. This section aimed at the HCPs' evaluation of the intervention material, their perception and acceptance of the adherence and empowerment of patients, as well as the perception of their and colleagues' own behavior. METHODS: The cross-sectional survey was conducted with a questionnaire at two surgical wards of a third-level hospital for 14 weeks. All HCPs with contact to patients were entitled to voluntarily participate in the study. AHOI instruments such as visual reminder, videos for patients and the AHOI-box were implemented on the wards. Additionally, the ward personnel received a psychological and practical train-the-trainer curriculum. RESULTS: Sixty-nine questionnaires were handed out and 29 returns were analyzed. The results show a strong identification and acceptance of HCPs with their role in the AHOI project. No additional workload was perceived by implementing AHOI. Teaching of medical professionals and information materials are seen as good supports. HCPs are empowering hygienic behavior in patients and colleagues. HCPs observed increasing adherence of patients. CONCLUSION: HCPs positively perceived acceptance, support and identification with the ideas of the AHOI project. Therefore, since HCPs are key for patients and their relatives, AHOI intervention seems to be a feasible instrument and aid in implementing national and international recommendations for hygienic behavior.
RESUMO
Background: The prevention of nosocomial infections requires participation from the patients themselves. In the past, however, patients have been apprehensive to point out hygiene-relevant behaviour to the personnel.In the project AHOI, the possibilities of active patient involvement in infection prevention are identified, tested and realized. The goal is a prevention strategy based upon three dimensions: "adherence", "empowerment" and "acceptance". "AHOI" stands for the "Activation of patients, persons in need of care and care givers for a Hygiene-conscious participatiOn in Infection control". Results from the AHOI pilot study on the implementation of a multimodal intervention bundle are reported. Methods: In 2017, a two-stage patient survey was conducted on two surgical wards for 14 weeks. In addition to the intervention bundle, acceptance, adherence and empowerment regarding individual hygiene behaviour and perception were evaluated. The bundle included an AHOI-welcome-box with an informational and entertaining brochure and supportive incentives. Furthermore, multiple visual materials like video presentations for patients' bedside TV, posters and visual reminders in the patients' bedrooms and sanitary facilities were installed. Results: 179 respondents were surveyed at admission, 139 at discharge and 133 at both time points. Almost all respondents wanted to contribute to infection control. The AHOI project was well accepted by patients. Two-thirds wanted to be more involved. More than a third expected a negative response from staff after pointing out hygiene deficiencies. Four respondents observed a deficiency in hygiene with healthcare personnel and reported a very positive reaction once this was communicated to the personnel. More than four-fifths of the respondents felt well integrated and adequately informed post intervention. The feeling of active involvement correlated significantly with subjective participation and adherence to hygienic measures, especially self-reported hand disinfection. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the required inclusion of patients in infection control is possible with AHOI. Active involvement of patients and relatives is associated with improvements in adherence to infection prevention measures.
