Abstract
BackgroundProper specimen collection is central to improving patient care by ensuring optimal yield of diagnostic tests, guiding appropriate management, and targeting treatment. The purpose of this article is to describe the development and implementation of a training-of-trainers educational program designed to improve clinical culture specimen collection among healthcare personnel (HCP) in Ethiopia.MethodsA Clinical Specimen Collection training package was created consisting of a Trainer’s Manual, Reference Manual, Assessment Tools, Step-by-Step Instruction Guides (i.e., job aides), and Core Module PowerPoint Slides.ResultsA two-day course was used in training 16 master trainers and 47 facility-based trainers responsible for cascading trainings on clinical specimen collection to HCP at the pre-service, in-service, or national-levels. The Clinical Specimen Collection Package is offered online via The Ohio State University’s CANVAS online platform.ConclusionsThe training-of-trainers approach may be an effective model for development of enhanced specimen collection practices in low-resource countries.
Highlights
Proper specimen collection is central to improving patient care by ensuring optimal yield of diagnostic tests, guiding appropriate management, and targeting treatment
We developed an integrated clinical specimen collection training package and implementation plan for local ministerial, academic, and hospital partners to target healthcare personnel (HCP), such as physicians, nurses, and laboratorians, who are responsible for collecting specimens for microbiology cultures
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the process of developing a standardized and sustainable specimen collection training package, from the initial needs assessment to its implementation, and the lessons learned from the training-of-trainers (ToT) cascade, which may serve as a model for other low- and middle -income countries
Summary
Proper specimen collection is central to improving patient care by ensuring optimal yield of diagnostic tests, guiding appropriate management, and targeting treatment. Standardizing the procedures that front-line healthcare personnel (HCP), such as nurses, physicians, and laboratory medical technologists/ technicians with responsibilities that include direct patient contact, use to conduct and teach collection of specimens is critical for disease control and prevention[1]. Erroneous microbiology culture results may range from false negative results due to improper storage conditions and microbial death to false positive results due to collection of normal flora rather than pathogenic microbes. These results can affect patient care as well as hospital infection control, patients’ length of stay, associated costs, patient safety, laboratory efficiency, and patient outcomes[1, 3, 4]. The plan outlines the activities needed to implement AMR surveillance, the approach for data collection, management, and reporting, and the roles and responsibilities of clinical laboratory stakeholders
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
