Changing health care worker behavior in relation to respiratory disease transmission with a novel training approach that uses biosimulation.
BACKGROUND
This pilot study was conducted to determine whether supplementing standard classroom training methods regarding respiratory disease transmission with a visual demonstration could improve the use of personal protective equipment among emergency department nurses.


METHODS
Participants included 20 emergency department registered nurses randomized into 2 groups: control and intervention. The intervention group received supplemental training using the visual demonstration of respiratory particle dispersion. Both groups were then observed throughout their work shifts as they provided care during January-March 2005.


RESULTS
Participants who received supplemental visual training correctly utilized personal protective equipment statistically more often than did participants who received only the standard classroom training.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementing the standard training methods with a visual demonstration can improve the use of personal protective equipment during care of patients exhibiting respiratory symptoms.
Carrico
Ruth M
RM
School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Department of Health Knowledge and Cognitive Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
Coty
Mary B
MB
Goss
Linda K
LK
Lajoie
Andrew S
AS
D000328:Adult; D003371:Cough; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods; D016529:Emergency Nursing; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D008348:Manikins; D016544:Patient Simulation; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control