Assessing Bacterial Contamination on Healthcare Surfaces and the Impact of Provider Knowledge and Education on Infection Control Practices in a University Health Center

Abstract

My thesis investigated the effectiveness of Just-in-Time (JIT) education in reducing surface-associated bacterial contamination on patient care items and environmental surfaces in a university health center. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of Staphylococcus on multi-use patient care items and environmental surfaces in the University Health Center (UHC) at the University of Maryland, College Park campus at two time points: 1) to collect baseline contamination data; and 2) a follow-up sampling post-JIT education. In addition to surface sampling, healthcare workers were surveyed to identify key factors influencing compliance with infection control measures. Surface samples were collected from stethoscopes (n=9), exam tables (n=9), blood pressure cuffs (n=6), pulse oximetry devices (n=5), an EKG machine (n=1), and a medicine cabinet door handle (n=1). The proportion of contaminated surfaces decreased from 61% in the first sampling to 29% in the second sampling. An exact McNemar’s test revealed significantly less bacterial presence in the second collection (p < .05), indicating that JIT education improved healthcare providers’ compliance with infection control protocols. Stethoscopes had the highest frequency of contamination in both sampling events (100% and 56%). Despite significant reductions in overall bacterial contamination, contamination of stethoscopes remained relatively high, suggesting the need for a more targeted intervention or policy improvements to improve stethoscope hygiene. Survey results indicated high self-reported compliance with IPC guidelines. Among respondents to the motivators question (n = 9), primary drivers included personal protection (56%; 5/9) and a safe work environment (33%; 3/9). In contrast, all respondents to the risk perception question reported a high perceived risk of infection transmission (100%; 10/10) within the healthcare setting. These findings address an important knowledge gap in understanding surface contamination in a university healthcare facility and suggest that JIT education is an effective strategy for improving IPC compliance. Further efforts may be needed to address persistent contamination of high-risk patient care items.