Patient education on infection control: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Lately, suggestions have been emphasizing the importance of engaging patients and family members in infection control (IC) through participation and education after showing that patients and family members can aid in preventing the transmission of health care-associated infections. However, assessing patient education on IC measures in hospitals is poorly investigated.

Purpose: To identify all available studies in the literature that assessed hospitalized patients' education on IC measures.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL were searched from inception till May 6, 2020 without restrictions. We used Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology tool for assessing the reporting quality of each eligible study.

Main findings: Of the 6,740 identified papers, 25 were eligible for inclusion. Education on health care-associated infections was investigated in 8 studies, education on central line-associated bloodstream infections in 1, education on surgical site infections in 2, education on hand hygiene in 12, education on isolation rationale, precautions, usage of personal protective equipment in 3, and education on respiratory hygiene in 1. In general, a low percentage of patient education on IC was found in most of the included papers.

Conclusions: The low percentage of patient education on IC in hospitals highlights the need for additional emphasis on patient involvement in IC. Further studies are needed to assess patient education on several IC measures and to explore the education of family members as well.

Keywords: Hospitalized patients; Infection control measures; Infection prevention education; Patient engagement; Patient information; Patient involvement.