Reduction in transfer of micro-organisms between patients and staff using short-sleeved gowns and hand/arm hygiene in intensive care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A simulation-based randomised trial.

Background: Current personal protective equipment (PPE) practices in UK intensive care units involve "sessional" use of long-sleeved gowns, risking nosocomial infection transmitted via gown sleeves. Data from the first wave of the COVID19 pandemic demonstrated that these changes in infection prevention and control protocols were associated with an increase in healthcare associated bloodstream infections. We therefore explored the use of a protocol using short-sleeved gowns with hand and arm hygiene to reduce this risk.

Evaluating Patient Identification Practices During Intrahospital Transfers: A Human Factors Approach.

Introduction: Reliable patient identification is essential for safe care, and failures may cause patient harm. Identification can be interfered with by system factors, including working conditions, technology, organizational barriers, and inadequate communications protocols. The study aims to explore systems factors contributing to patient identification errors during intrahospital transfers.