Nursing Homes Get Their Very Own Soap!

Behind the Scenes at "Gowns and Gloves"

A partnership between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and NC Division of Health Service Regulation has provided funding for the development of educational modules to promote infection prevention in nursing homes. During the two year funding period SPICE will develop four modules: management of antibiotic resistant bacteria, isolation precautions, safe injection practices, and environmental disinfection. The modules will be web-based and user-friendly with the aim of reaching a wide array of healthcare personnel. The only proven method to increase compliance with key infection control activities is ongoing, periodic education. The first module, Antibiotic Resistant Organisms, was launched on February 25th. A second module on Isolation Precautions will roll out later this spring.
“We are excited about the opportunity to put together learning modules that will engage and educate nursing home personnel across NC and beyond,” said SPICE Associate Director, Kirk Huslage. “While the end goal is reducing healthcare-associated infections in nursing homes, learners will be on the edge of their seats to find out what happens next on our nursing home soap opera, Gowns and Gloves,” said Huslage. Soap opera mini-episodes that appear throughout the first two modules reinforce information presented in a more traditional slide format. The learning modules are intentionally developed to educate all nursing home employees – not just nursing staff. “Infection control and prevention is so fundamental,” said Huslage. “Bad bugs may have long scientific names that are hard to pronounce, but other than that – this is not rocket science. Good hand hygiene is key, and there’s nothing difficult about that.” NC nursing homes will be notified by email about the launch of each module. “We hope that viewers will find the soap opera vignettes engaging and fun, and that the modules will be viewed by many. Who knows – they may even go viral!” said Huslage. (Excuse the pun.)