Implementation of university training on infection control and clinical governance in medical school Preliminary results of an experimental project

Abstract

Introduction:

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) not only put patients’ lives at risk by increasing morbidity and mortality, but also pose enormous costs to global healthcare systems. The legislation is binding on the topic of training in the field of Infection Control and Health Risk Management, particularly for healthcare companies, but academic institutions are not yet adequate in this sense. Hence, the pioneering experimental project, among the first in Italy, conducted by the authors.

The Universities of Verona and Foggia have started an experimental project in 2023-2024 for the implementation of university training in the field of Clinical Governance applied to the Infection Control process which, in relation to the results, could represent an organizational model for exportable university teaching programming in other local, regional and even extra-regional healthcare contexts.

Methods:

As part of the teaching modules proposed in the Course of Studies in Nursing and in the Course of Studies in Obstetrics of the University of Verona, specific training on the topic of Infection Control has been included in the program of the Hygiene Course in the 2023-2024 academic year. and Public Health and Health Organization and Management, aimed at first and third year students, with a module entirely dedicated to theoretical and practical concepts of Infection Control and Risk Management, with the aim to provide the student with a transversal vision of the concept of risk and prevention for operators and patients.

The methodology was then applied at the University of Foggia, and in particular in the University Campus Nursing Degree Course of the Barletta Hospital, where an ad hoc course in Infection Control was implemented aimed at second year nursing students. year.

Results:

From the analysis of the data it emerged that overall 70% of students believe that receiving adequate training in terms of infection control has an impact on their professional practice. Brilliant results obtained in the written exam tests both at the University of Verona and at the University of Foggia, with a high level of attention and interest in the subject that persisted even after the lessons.

Conclusions:

An Organizational University Training Model has been implemented which is in line with what the legislation, and in particular the PNRR, foresees and provides. This project marks the step of an epochal change in the management and prevention of healthcare-related infections within the academic world. An organizational process innovation was introduced in resources, applied to the principles of Clinical Governance and the management of the prevention of Healthcare-Related Infections.

Smart Hospital, Smart University is the paradigm of the Healthcare of the future, but which with the operational application of the PNRR (which requires shared planning between North and South) becomes present and this organizational model becomes a concrete application in resources.

Two academic realities geographically distant but close in common intent: to innovate the training process and make it suitable for the times, needs and regulations.