The implementation of a "safety officer" program: an innovative approach to improve infection prevention and control practices in Ethiopia.

Background: Effective infection prevention and control (IPC) was central to keeping healthcare workers (HCWs) safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the pandemic continued, the maintenance of high-quality IPC practices waned, placing HCWs at increased risk of infection. A COVID-19 Safety Officer (SO) program was piloted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Reaching Impact, Saturation and Epidemic Control (RISE) project across two health facilities in Ethiopia, which trained clinical and non-clinical HCWs on IPC protocols to promote safe practices in patient care areas.

Examining Variation in Mental Models of Influence and Leadership Among Nursing Leaders and Direct Care Nurses.

This study explored similarities and differences in the views on team membership and leadership held by nurses in formal unit leadership positions and direct care nurses. We used a mixed-methods approach and a maximum variance sampling strategy, sampling from units with both high and low safety behaviors and safety culture scores. We identified several key differences in mental models of care team membership and leadership between formal leaders and direct care nurses that warrant further exploration.

Implementing a multifaceted intervention to decrease central line-associated bloodstream infections in SEHA (Abu Dhabi Health Services Company) intensive care units: the Abu Dhabi experience.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether implementation of a multifaceted intervention would significantly reduce the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections. DESIGN Prospective cohort collaborative. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Intensive care units of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company hospitals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Impact of the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) on safety culture in a surgical inpatient unit.

Background: A culture of teamwork and learning from mistakes are universally acknowledged as essential factors to improve patient safety. Both are part of the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP), which improved safety in intensive care units but had not been evaluated in other inpatient settings.

Methods: CUSP was implemented beginning in February 2008 on an 18-bed surgical floor at an academic medical center to improve patient safety, nurse/physician collaboration, and safety on the unit.

Implementing a team-based daily goals sheet in a non-ICU setting.

A tool was developed to improve communication in non-intensive care unit inpatient units. This tool clarifies patient-centered goals, provides an accurate information source for each patient, and helps nurses communicate more effectively with one another and the surgical team.