1. Immersive technology and hand hygiene : scoping reviewDominika Muršec, Sonja Šostar-Turk, Urška Rozman, Mateja Lorber, Nino Fijačko, Dominika Vrbnjak, 2024, review article Abstract: Background The use of immersive technology in healthcare education is on the rise, yet its impact on learner engagement, knowledge retention, and specifically in areas like hand hygiene training, remains underexplored. The aim of this scoping review was to summarize the existing studies of immersive technology in hand hygiene training of healthcare providers and health professions students. Methods A scoping review following the Levac et al. framework was conducted. The literature search was performed in databases PubMed, CINAHL Ultimate, ScienceDirect (Elsevier), Web of Science in addition to Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertation & Theses. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis: Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRIMSA-ScR) guideline was used to report the results. We analysed data using tabular and descriptive summary. Results In the final analysis 11 studies from seven countries were included. Most of the studies (n = 10, 90,91%) used virtual reality in hand hygiene training of healthcare providers and health professions students. Most studies have found that immersive technology is useful in teaching hand hygiene (n = 6, 54,55%). There are some theories and concepts that support the teaching of hand hygiene with immersive technology, but most of the research is not supported by them. Theories or concepts were included in two studies (18,18%). Conclusion Immersive technology, especially virtual reality, enhances hand hygiene learning and engagement compared to traditional methods. However, most studies lack theoretical support. To advance this field, exploring immersive technology for further research and incorporating relevant theories is encouraged. Additionally, conducting a thorough cost-effectiveness analysis and establishing a robust evaluation framework, encompassing both short-term and long-term outcomes, will be beneficial for a comprehensive understanding of the impact of immersive technology in hand hygiene education. Keywords: immersive technology, hand hygiene, usefulness, theory, concept Published in DKUM: 27.11.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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2. Assessing the incorporation of the `Five moments for hand hygiene` into nursing procedure textbooksAdrijana Svenšek, Dominika Muršec, Nino Fijačko, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Aim
Our aim was to conduct a thorough comparison between the hand hygiene information included in international nursing textbooks and the Slovenian nursing textbook's equivalent content as it relates to nursing procedures.
Background
Hand hygiene practices are crucial in preventing healthcare-associated infections, which affect millions of patients annually. The idea behind "Five Moments for Hand Hygiene" is to encourage assessing success and boosting self-efficacy.
Design
Comparison of hand hygiene content in international nursing textbooks with the content in a Slovenian nursing textbook.
Methods
A study was conducted between March 2023 and March 2024 to compare hand hygiene content in international nursing textbooks. The study included textbooks from the USA and UK, as well as Slovenian (SI) textbooks. The final phase involved comparing hand hygiene performance practices against the WHO Five Moments for Hand Hygiene.
Results
The study reviewed 470 nursing procedures across three textbooks, identifying four common ones: female indwelling urinary catheterisation, small-bore feeding tube insertion, enema administration and subcutaneous injections. The USA textbook had the highest number of steps, while the UK textbook had the lowest. Clean protective gloves are not recommended for all nursing procedures, only for small-bore feeding tube insertion and enema administration. The US textbook omitted 12 steps for the female indwelling urinary catheter procedure, while the UK textbook included 10 steps. The SI textbook omitted 8 steps.
Conclusions
Hand hygiene is crucial for healthcare infections prevention and control. The study found differences in the frequency of hand hygiene in these nursing procedures. WHO's Five Moments for Hand Hygiene guidelines are not universally accepted, with inadequate hygiene often observed before patient contact. Future research should review foreign textbooks and update existing ones. Keywords: WHO, hand hygiene, nursing education, nursing procedures Published in DKUM: 26.11.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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3. Mobile applications for learning hand hygiene : a comparative analysisDominika Muršec, Adrijana Svenšek, Lucija Gosak, Sonja Šostar-Turk, Urška Rozman, Gregor Štiglic, Mateja Lorber, 2024, review article Abstract: Infection control is crucial for high-quality patient care. One of the most effective and commonly used infection control procedures is hand hygiene which, it is known, requires repeated refresher training. There are many ways to educate healthcare professionals about hand hygiene, including the use of mobile applications (apps). Our aim is to review such hand hygiene apps, and to identify which have been available since 2021 and to assess their quality. We conducted a review using the PRISMA diagram to document our app selection process in the Google Play Store and Apple store in March 2024. For the evaluation of apps, we used the user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale questionnaire (uMARS). Of 16 apps only five adhere to WHO hand hygiene guidelines. Timers were included in 12 of the 16 apps and reminders were included in 10 of 16 apps. The highest overall uMARS scoring app was Give Me 5–Hand Hygiene (4.31 ± 0.28), while Wash your hands! (1.17 ± 0.14) had the lowest score. We found that more than half of the apps were unavailable from the 2021 review. We believe that app-based education could effectively sustain hand hygiene knowledge in healthcare settings. Keywords: hand hygiene, innovative education, WHO Published in DKUM: 25.11.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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4. A critical assessment of microbial-based antimicrobial sanitizing of inanimate surfaces in healthcare settingsSabina Fijan, Peter Kürti, Urška Rozman, Sonja Šostar-Turk, 2024, review article Abstract: The global rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant public health threat, especially in healthcare settings, where controlling the spread of antimicrobial genes is crucial. While person-to-person transmission remains the primary route for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), hospital surfaces serve as key reservoirs for antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms. Regular cleaning and disinfection of these surfaces are essential. Microbial-based products for sanitizing hospital surfaces have emerged as promising tools to combat HAIs and AMR. However, a review of 32 publications found inconsistencies and potential risks. A total of 15 publications included hospital-based trials, while the rest were either in vitro or in situ assays, reviews, book chapters, or commentaries. In most of the hospital-based studies, specific strains of applied microorganisms were not identified, and the term “probiotic” was inaccurately used. These products mainly featured spores from Bacillus and Priestia genera, which was mainly hypothesized to work through competitive exclusion. Most hospital-based studies have shown that the application of microbial-based products resulted in a significant reduction in pathogens on surfaces, thereby contributing to a decrease in the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Further research is however needed to understand the effectiveness, mechanisms of action, and safety of microbial-based sanitizing agents. Strain-level identification is crucial for safety assessments, yet many reviewed products lacked this information. Consequently, there is a need for rigorous safety evaluations within existing regulatory frameworks to ensure the efficacy and safety of microbial-based cleaning products in healthcare settings. Keywords: microbial cleaning, hygiene, Bacillus, spores, beneficial microbes, genus Priestia Published in DKUM: 21.11.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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5. Hygiene of medical devices and minimum inhibitory concentrations for alcohol-based and QAC disinfectants among isolates from physical therapy departmentsUrška Rozman, Darja Duh, Mojca Cimerman, Sonja Šostar-Turk, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Disinfectants are used intensively to control and prevent healthcare-associated infections. With continuous use and exposure to disinfectants, bacteria may develop reduced susceptibility. The study aimed to check the hygiene of devices in the physiotherapy department. For isolated bacterial strains, we aimed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of five different disinfectant wipe products currently in use. Microbiological environmental sampling in four various institutions in four different cities from two counties was performed, followed by CFU calculation and identification using matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization with time-of-flight analyzer mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). The sampling was performed on three different occasions: before patient use, after patient use, and after disinfection. The susceptibility of isolates to three different alcohol-based and three different quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) disinfectant wipes was examined by determining the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). We identified 27 different bacterial species from 11 different genera. Gram-positive bacteria predominated. The most abundant genera were Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, and Bacillus. The average MIC values of alcohol-based disinfectants range between 66.61 and 148.82 g/L, and those of QAC-based disinfectants range between 2.4 and 3.5 mg/L. Distinctive strains with four-fold increases in MIC values, compared to average values, were identified. The widespread use of disinfectants can induce a reduction in the susceptibility of bacteria against disinfectants and affect the increase in the proportion of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, it is urgent to define clear criteria for defining a microorganism as resistant to disinfectants by setting epidemiological cut-off (ECOFF) values and standardizing protocols for testing the resistance of microorganisms against disinfectants. Keywords: surfaces hygiene, disinfectants, MIC, healthcare institution Published in DKUM: 03.07.2024; Views: 106; Downloads: 14
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6. Hospital textiles, are they a possible vehicle for healthcare-associated infections?Sabina Fijan, Sonja Šostar-Turk, 2012, review article Abstract: Textiles are a common material in healthcare facilities; therefore it is important that they do not pose as a vehicle for the transfer of pathogens to patients or hospital workers. During the course of use hospital textiles become contaminated and laundering is necessary. Laundering of healthcare textiles is most commonly adequate, but in some instances, due to inappropriate disinfection or subsequent recontamination, the textiles may become a contaminated inanimate surface with the possibility to transfer pathogens. In this review we searched the published literature in order to answer four review questions: (1) Are there any reports on the survival of microorganisms on hospital textiles after laundering? (2) Are there any reports that indicate the presence of microorganisms on hospital textiles during use? (3) Are there any reports that microorganisms on textiles are a possible source infection of patients? (4) Are there any reports that microorganisms on textiles are a possible source infection for healthcare workers? Keywords: textile hygiene, disinfection, hospital-acquired infections, inanimate surfaces, infection transmission vehicles Published in DKUM: 21.06.2017; Views: 1627; Downloads: 404
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7. Hygiene monitoring systems : the laundering of hospital textiles in SloveniaSabina Fijan, Sonja Šostar-Turk, 2013, professional article Keywords: nega tekstilij, bolnišnično perilo, higiena pralnic, standardi, textile care, hospital laundry, laudry hygiene, standards Published in DKUM: 10.07.2015; Views: 3409; Downloads: 52
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8. Efficiency of four sampling methods used to detect two common nosocomial pathogens on textilesUrška Rozman, Sonja Šostar-Turk, Sabina Fijan, 2012, original scientific article Abstract: Detecting microorganisms on textiles is useful for many purposes, for example to determine the bioburden before laundering, assess the reduction in bacterial counts in connection with various laundry processes, or trace transfer routes in infection control investigations. Therefore a validated, reproducible and rational method is needed. For sampling microorganisms on textile surfaces the most commonly used method is the contact plate method using RODAC plates, first described by Hall and Hartnett followed by the swab sampling technique. Both methods can only capture microorganisms on the surface of the textiles while microorganisms that have penetrated into the deeper structure of the material will not be detected. In our research the contact plate method and the swabbing technique were compared with two wash-off methods. For the first wash-off method the destructive elution methodwas used, where microorganisms were eluted from the fabrics by shaking the fabrics for a certain time in an elution medium. For the fourth sampling method a nondestructive method that included a compact test device called MorapexŽ was used, which is based on forced desorption by pressing the microorganisms through the fabric without destroying the fabric. In our research, two types of microorganisms were included (Klebsiella pneumoniae andStaphylococcus aureus) that cause common nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of the four sampling methods for detecting microorganisms on textiles and to determine the lowest concentration, which can still be detected. The percentage of microorganisms that were detected by both elution methods was substantially higher than by sampling of fabrics with the contact plate method or swabbing. It can be concluded that a nondestructive method using a modified MorapexŽ device can beapplied for quick determination of the hygienic condition of textiles. Keywords: textile hygiene, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, swabbing, RODAC plates, elution method, Morapex Published in DKUM: 10.07.2015; Views: 1701; Downloads: 115
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9. Antimicrobial disinfection effect of a laundering procedure for hospital textiles against various indicator bacteria and fungi using different substrates for simulating human excrementsSabina Fijan, Srečko Koren, Avrelija Cencič, Sonja Šostar-Turk, 2007, original scientific article Abstract: Recent studies confirm the increase of nosocomial infections and microbial resistance. One of the possible causes is infected textiles due to inappropriate laundering procedures. Most Slovenian laundries use thermal laundering procedures with high energy and water consumption to disinfect hospital textiles. In addition to this fact, there is an increasing number of hospital textiles composed of cotton/polyester blends that cannot endure high temperatures of thermal disinfection. On the other hand, decreasing the temperature of laundering procedures enhances the possibility of pathogenic microorganisms to survive the laundering procedure. In our research, we determined the antimicrobic laundering effect by simulating a common laundering procedure for hospital textiles in the laboratory washing machine at different temperatures by the use of bioindicators. Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium terrae, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used for determining the antibacterial laundering effect. Candida albicans was used for determining the antifungal laundering effect. Swine blood, artificial sweat, and swine fat were used as substrates for simulating human excrements and were inoculated together with the chosen microorganisms onto cotton pieces to simulate real laundering conditions. It was found that E. faecium, S. aureus, E. aerogenes, and P. aeruginosa survivedat 60 °C, but no microorganisms were found at 75 °C. Keywords: textile care, hospital laundry, laundry hygiene, micro-organisms, bioindicators, disinfection effect, hospital-acquired disease prevention, sanitary measures Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 3098; Downloads: 113
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10. Rotaviral RNA found on various surfaces in a hospital laundrySabina Fijan, Andrej Steyer, Mateja Poljšak-Prijatelj, Avrelija Cencič, Sonja Šostar-Turk, Srečko Koren, 2008, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of this investigative study was to determine the presence of rotaviral RNA at various control points (CP) of a hospital laundry. One of the possible sources of hospital infections is inappropriately laundered and disinfected hospital textiles. RT-PCR and nested PCR for gene amplification using specific primers following RNA isolation were used to determine the presence of rotaviral RNA on swabs. In addition, rotavirus suspensions were inoculated on marked surfaces as positive controls for different surfaces (cotton textiles, folding table and industrial dryer). Rotaviral RNA was found on various laundry surfaces: technical equipment, storage shelves, transport vehicles, personnel's hands, damp textiles, and folded laundry. Rotaviral RNA was also detected at all positive controls on tested surfaces after 24 h. Based on the results, it is very important to take into consideration the proper handling of textiles after washing as one of the precautions against hospital-acquired infections. This paper reports the presence of rotaviral RNA for the first time on surfaces in laundries and equipment, as well as textiles. Keywords: laundry hygiene, rotaviruses, hospital-acquired disease prevention, sanitary measures, occupational health Published in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 2858; Downloads: 95
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