Student Self-Screening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Nasal Colonization in Hand Hygiene Education

Abstract

Objective. To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of adding a hand hygiene exercise in selfscreening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization to a health care delivery course for first-year pharmacy (P1) students. Design. About one month after students were trained in hand hygiene technique and indications, faculty members demonstrated how to self-screen for MRSA nasal colonization. Students were then asked to screen themselves during the required class time. Aggregated class results were shared and compared to prevalence estimates for the general population and health care providers. Assessment. The 71 students present in class on the day of the self-screening exercise chose to participate. A survey comparing presecreening and postscreening responses indicated incremental improvements in student knowledge and awareness of health care associated infections and motivation to perform hand hygiene. On the written exam, student performance demonstrated improved knowledge compared to previous class years. Conclusion. Self-screening for MRSA nasal colonization in a health care delivery course for P1 students increased students' motivation to perform hand hygiene techniques and follow indications promulgated by the World Health Organization.

Infection Control Practices and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infections: A Survey of Students in US Chiropractic Programs

“…Although there have been prior studies of clinical hygiene infection control behaviors among chiropractic students, 35,36 none has linked these behaviors to a health outcome, and none of the behaviors have been re-assessed in several years. Although there have been prior studies of MRSA nasal carriage in US health care students, [37][38][39][40][41][42] none that the author is aware of has specifically screened for postmatriculation infection history, though others have generally inquired about past MRSA infection. 42 This study sought to determine the rates of prematriculation and postmatriculation MRSA SSTI in a sample of chiropractic students and any association with hygiene-related behaviors and initiation of patient care.…”

Monitoring Pharmacy Student Adherence to World Health Organization Hand Hygiene Indications Using Radio Frequency Identification

“…7,13,14 A pilot study in an occupied patient room in this hospital over a one-month period demonstrated that this low-cost, automated monitoring system successfully tracked hand-hygiene adherence. 7 The system relied on passive RFID tags (stickers) placed under the photo and name plate of ID tags.…”