Journal article
Using a human-factors engineering approach to evaluate environmental cleaning in Veterans’ Affairs acute and long-term care facilities: A qualitative analysis
Infection control and hospital epidemiology, Vol.45(3), pp.351-359
03/2024
DOI: 10.1017/ice.2023.226
Abstract
Abstract Background: Environmental cleaning is important in the interruption of pathogen transmission. Although prevention initiatives have targeted environmental cleaning, practice variations exist and compliance is low. Evaluation of human factors influencing variations in cleaning practices can be valuable in developing interventions to standardized practices. We conducted a work-system analysis using a human-factors engineering (HFE) framework to identify barriers and facilitators to environmental cleaning practices in acute and long-term care settings within the Veterans’ Affairs health system. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study with key stakeholders at 3 VA facilities. We analyzed transcripts for thematic content and mapped themes to the HFE framework. Results: Staffing consistency was felt to improve cleaning practices and teamwork. We found that many environmental management service (EMS) staff were veterans who were motivated to serve fellow veterans, especially to prevent infections. However, hiring veterans comes with regulatory hurdles that affect staffing. Sites reported some form of monitoring their cleaning process, but there was variation in method and frequency. The EMS workload was affected by whether rooms were occupied by patients or were semiprivate rooms; both were reportedly more difficult to clean. Room design and surface finishes were identified as important to cleaning efficiency. Conclusion: HFE work analysis identified barriers and facilitators to environmental cleaning. These findings highlight intervention entry points that may facilitate standardized work practices. There is a need to develop task-specific procedures such as cleaning occupied beds and semiprivate rooms. Future research should evaluate interventions that address these determinants of environmental cleaning.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Using a human-factors engineering approach to evaluate environmental cleaning in Veterans’ Affairs acute and long-term care facilities: A qualitative analysis
- Creators
- Linda L. McKinley - William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans HospitalCassie C. Goedken - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemErin C. Balkenende - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemStacey M. Hockett SherlockMary Jo Knobloch - University of IowaRosie Bartel - Patient-Centered Outcomes Research InstituteEli N. Perencevich - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemHeather S. Reisinger - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemNasia Safdar - William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Infection control and hospital epidemiology, Vol.45(3), pp.351-359
- DOI
- 10.1017/ice.2023.226
- ISSN
- 0899-823X
- eISSN
- 1559-6834
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 10/24/2023
- Date published
- 03/2024
- Academic Unit
- General Internal Medicine; Epidemiology; Internal Medicine; Center for Social Science Innovation
- Record Identifier
- 9984499211402771
Metrics
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