Abstract
BackgroundTo stop the spread of COVID-19 in outpatient primary care clinics, infection control strategies were needed including social distancing and masking in Fall 2020. Studies show a significant decrease in COVID-19 transmission when healthcare professionals comply with preventive measures. We tested whether an educational video would improve compliance to infection control behaviors quickly.ObjectiveTo improve COVID-19 infection control compliance in clinical staff at an outpatient federally qualified health center (FQHC) family medicine residency clinic with quality improvement (QI) tools. MethodsOn-line surveys assessed medical assistants’ (MAs), residents’, and attending physicians’ before and after an educational video intervention to assess knowledge of and compliance with social distancing and masking guidelines. Independent observed compliance assessments before and after the educational video were used to confirm the self-reported compliance. ResultsThe pre- and post-intervention surveys were completed by 49% (37/76) and 62% (47/76) of participants, respectively. Self-reported knowledge and compliance showed no significant change over time. Observed compliance, however, from pre (n = 667) to post (n = 1132) intervention improved for both masking (p < 0.001) and social distancing (p < 0.001).ConclusionAn educational video regarding COVID-19 infection control was effective in improving compliance in an outpatient clinic in an underserved, urban setting. While building these new behavioral habits, however, self-report may not be as accurate as observational assessments. Since this intervention was implemented prior to the COVID-19 fall surge and introduction of mass vaccinations, the educational intervention may have improved behavioral compliance with COVID-19 protocols later in the pandemic.
Highlights
With the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, a rash of infection control measures was initiated, focusing on the inpatient setting
The setting of this project was a family medicine residency clinic within a large, urban federally qualified health center (FQHC) where resident physicians provide most of the direct patient care with supervision from attending physicians, all working together with patient service representatives (PSRs), medical assistants (MAs), and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs)
The quality improvement (QI) project occurred from summer to fall 2020, and the effective control measures against COVID-19 have since changed, we are confident that education lies at the heart of any successful intervention
Summary
With the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, a rash of infection control measures was initiated, focusing on the inpatient setting. Recommendations for physical distancing and face masks required overnight changes to maximize the safety of clinicians, staff, and patients so that patient access to in-person care could be maintained to prevent unnecessary ED visits. The setting of this project was a family medicine residency clinic within a large, urban federally qualified health center (FQHC) where resident physicians provide most of the direct patient care with supervision from attending physicians, all working together with patient service representatives (PSRs), medical assistants (MAs), and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). We tested whether an educational video would improve compliance to infection control behaviors quickly
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