INTRODUCTION: There exists a high level of non-compliance with basic infection control measures by medical staff. One explanation may be a lack of familiarity with contemporary infection control guidelines. As surgical trainees represent a key group of stakeholders responsible for the delivery of recommended infection control practice, we assessed knowledge of infection control guidelines amongst current UK surgical trainees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Without warning, during the annual meeting of the UK Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT), participating surgical trainees were asked to complete a questionnaire examining their basic knowledge of infection control and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) based on recently published guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 52 trainees (13 higher surgical trainees [HSTs]; 39 basic surgical trainees [BSTs]) returned completed questionnaires in the study. BSTs demonstrated a higher level of knowledge of infection control, outperforming the HSTs in 7 out of 11 questions. Of surgical trainees, 61.5% were misinformed regarding the prevalence of MRSA blood-stream infections and 69% were unaware of policies for transfer of MRSA-positive patients. Analysis revealed areas of concern in regards to an adequate general level of knowledge of infection control in surgical trainees, particularly in some key areas. CONCLUSIONS: To ensure patient safety and reduce hospital-acquired infections, it is vital that focused, co-ordinated programmes of education, in this rapidly changing field, are prioritised and formalised into surgical training, selection and assessment.
INTRODUCTION: There exists a high level of non-compliance with basic infection control measures by medical staff. One explanation may be a lack of familiarity with contemporary infection control guidelines. As surgical trainees represent a key group of stakeholders responsible for the delivery of recommended infection control practice, we assessed knowledge of infection control guidelines amongst current UK surgical trainees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Without warning, during the annual meeting of the UK Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT), participating surgical trainees were asked to complete a questionnaire examining their basic knowledge of infection control and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) based on recently published guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 52 trainees (13 higher surgical trainees [HSTs]; 39 basic surgical trainees [BSTs]) returned completed questionnaires in the study. BSTs demonstrated a higher level of knowledge of infection control, outperforming the HSTs in 7 out of 11 questions. Of surgical trainees, 61.5% were misinformed regarding the prevalence of MRSA blood-stream infections and 69% were unaware of policies for transfer of MRSA-positive patients. Analysis revealed areas of concern in regards to an adequate general level of knowledge of infection control in surgical trainees, particularly in some key areas. CONCLUSIONS: To ensure patient safety and reduce hospital-acquired infections, it is vital that focused, co-ordinated programmes of education, in this rapidly changing field, are prioritised and formalised into surgical training, selection and assessment.
Authors: Carol A Cantlon; Mary E Stemper; William R Schwan; Michael A Hoffman; Salah S Qutaishat Journal: Am J Infect Control Date: 2006-10 Impact factor: 2.918
Authors: J E Coia; G J Duckworth; D I Edwards; M Farrington; C Fry; H Humphreys; C Mallaghan; D R Tucker Journal: J Hosp Infect Date: 2006-04-03 Impact factor: 3.926