A comprehensive educational approach to improving patient isolation practice.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a workable plan for the successful education of a large, diverse group of healthcare workers in a university hospital setting.


METHODS
A prospective, nonrandomized study of compliance with infection control isolation practice following various educational interventions.


METHODS
300-bed tertiary-care, academic medical center with out-patient clinics.


METHODS
Hospital employees and contract workers.


METHODS
The infection control department introduced a plan to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new isolation guidelines. A comprehensive proposal was presented to administration. It included a time line for institution and a comprehensive educational and performance-improvement plan, including standard lectures and a video that explained Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions. Follow-up consisted of customized in-services and one-on-one continued education tailored to the individual units.


RESULTS
Compliance with isolation procedure after standardized lectures and video alone was poor. Compliance improved after institution of smaller, more intensive in-services tailored to individual departments and given during all shifts.


CONCLUSIONS
Intensive, individualized education is the key to compliance. This requires sufficient infection control staffing and administrative support.
Kidd
F
F
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Ohio 45267-0560, USA.
Heitkemper
P
P
Kressel
A B
AB
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D016357:Infection Control Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D009820:Ohio; D010356:Patient Isolation; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education; D011446:Prospective Studies