ETC 54 - The Impact of National Surveillance Training on the Knowledge of Infection Preventionists in the United Arab Emirates

Monday, June 3, 2024

11:46 AM – 12:15 PM CST

Location: Kiosk 7 - APIC Central, Hall 1

Has Audio

Presenter(s)

Joseph Tannous, MLT, MHRM, CIC

Infection Control Consultant
Emirates Health Services, Ministry of Health and Prevention of the United Arab Emirates

Co-Author(s)

Abeer Khalil, RN, ICP

Infection Control Expert
Emirates Heath Services, UAE
Ajish Thankachan, RN, ICP

Infection Control Senior
Emirates Health Services, UAE
Jithin Raj Rajendran Pillai, RN, BSN, MPH, CIC (he/him/his)

Senior Infection Control Practitioner
Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health, Dubai
Najiba Abdulrazzaq, MD

Head of UAE National Infection Control committee-MOHAP, Head of Infection control committee at EHS, Co-Chair of National AMR committee
Emirates Health services, Dubai, UAE

Disclosure(s):

Joseph Tannous, MLT, MHRM, CIC: No financial relationships to disclose

Abeer Khalil, RN, ICP: No financial relationships to disclose

Ajish Thankachan, RN, ICP: No financial relationships to disclose

Jithin Raj Rajendran Pillai, RN, BSN, MPH, CIC: No financial relationships to disclose

Najiba Abdulrazzaq, MD: No financial relationships to disclose

Background: Education and training are essential for Infection Preventionists (IPs) to stay abreast of criteria and methodologies used to identify Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). This study assesses the impact of a national surveillance workshop on the knowledge of IPs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI), Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Surgical Site Infection (SSI), and Ventilator-Associated Event (VAE).

Methods: Ninety-six IPs from both governmental and private hospitals in the UAE participated, completing a pre-assessment questionnaire before the national surveillance workshop. The questionnaire included 20 questions related to CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI, and VAE. The workshop held on November 15, 2023, featured engaging interactive sessions. A post-training reassessment was conducted to gauge the acquired knowledge, and statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.

Results: Results showed a baseline knowledge of 45% on the pre-training assessment. After the workshop, there was a significant increase to 74% on the post-training assessment (P < 0.0001). Significant improvements were observed in CLABSI knowledge, particularly in Secondary BSI attribution period (SBAP), Mucosal Barrier Injury (MBI), and exclusion criteria. For SSI, significant improvements were noted in defining the surveillance period, criteria timeframe, and Infection present at time of surgery (PATOS) criteria. VAE knowledge saw significant enhancements in qualifying antimicrobial days (QAD) and routes of administration. While overall CAUTI knowledge didn't show a significant difference, notable significance was found in Asymptomatic Bacteremic UTI (ABUTI) criteria and excluded organisms.

Conclusions: Targeted surveillance training significantly enhanced the knowledge of IPs in the UAE. Standardizing protocols through national training programs contributes to a consistent approach in identifying HAIs, establishing a robust national benchmark, and fostering a collective commitment to patient safety.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participant will be able to analyze the pre-training and post-training assessments to evaluate the impact of surveillance training on the knowledge of Infection Preventionists.
Upon completion, participant will be able to explore the role of targeted national surveillance training in standardizing practices in healthcare settings and establishing a robust national benchmark.
Upon completion, participant will be able to articulate the key components of surveillance protocols, including specific criteria, attribution periods, and exclusion criteria for each type of infection.