Will the COVID-19 pandemic transform infection prevention and control in surgery? Seeking leverage points for organizational learning

Background: In response to the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare systems worldwide have stepped up their infection prevention and control efforts in order to reduce the spread of the infection. Behaviours, such as hand hygiene, screening and cohorting of patients, and the appropriate use of antibiotics have long been recommended in surgery, but their implementation has often been patchy. Methods: The current crisis presents an opportunity to learn about how to improve infection prevention and control and surveillance (IPCS) behaviours. The improvements made were mainly informal, quick and stemming from the frontline rather than originating from formal organizational structures. The adaptations made and the expertise acquired have the potential for triggering deeper learning and to create enduring improvements in the routine identification and management of infections relating to surgery. Results: This paper aims to illustrate how adopting a human factors and ergonomics perspective can provide insights into how clinical work systems have been adapted and reconfigured in order to keep patients and staff safe. Conclusion: For achieving sustainable change in IPCS practices in surgery during COVID-19 and beyond we need to enhance organizational learning potentials

"La Piazza” –Convivial spaces for inter-generational learning: Which role can learning technologies play

This paper presents the approach of La Piazza project, a study conducted in the framework of the Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence (IST-Technology Enhanced Learning), focusing ICT and intergenera- tional learning in public spaces (museums, community centres, civic networks, installations in public squares). It discusses the notion of Communication underpinning its theoretical foundations, illustrates the research methodologies and the emerging themes, that are further developed in the paper by Ackermann et al., also presented at ICTE06

Are patients discharged with care? A qualitative study of perceptions and experiences of patients, family members and care providers

Background: Advocates for quality and safety havecalled for healthcare that is patient-centred anddecision-making that involves patients.Objective: The aim of the paper is to explore thebarriers and facilitators to patient-centred care in thehospital discharge process.Methods: A qualitative study using purposive samplingof 192 individual interviews and 26 focus groupinterviews was conducted in five European Unioncountries with patients and/or family members,hospital physicians and nurses, and community generalpractitioners and nurses. A modified Grounded Theoryapproach was used to analyse the data.Results: The barriers and facilitators were classified into15 categories from which four themes emerged:(1) healthcare providers do not sufficiently prioritisedischarge consultations with patients and family membersdue to time restraints and competing care obligations;(2) discharge communication varied from instructingpatients and family members to shared decision-making;(3) patients often feel unprepared for discharge, andpostdischarge care is not tailored to individual patientneeds and preferences; and (4) pressure on availablehospital beds and community resources affect thedischarge process.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that involvement ofpatients and families in the preparations for discharge isdetermined by the extent towhich care providers arewillingand able to accommodate patients’ and families’ capabilities,needs and preferences. Future interventions should bedirected at healthcare providers’ attitudes and theirorganisation’s leadership, with afocus on improvingcommunication among care providers, patients and families,and between hospital and community care providers

Showcasing the HFE orientation guide for Patient Safety jointly promoted by WHO and IEA

In order to promote the application of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) methods and practices for improving healthcare safety in general and patient safety in particular, the WHO (World Health Organization) and the IEA (International Ergonomic Association) are collaborating on a jointly-produced document with engagement from international HFE experts

Interruptions, work environment and work load perceptions in laboratory medicine: patient safety is a "moving target"

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The key actor: a qualitative study of patient participation in the handover process in Europe

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