Background: Staff training in infection prevention and control (IPC) across hospital settings has a crucial role in reducing the incidence of healthcare associated infections (HAIs). However the application of dynamic visualisation approaches in this context is under-developed, with very few in-depth evaluation studies of related processes and impacts.

Methods: A prototype training tablet app for hospital staff, using interactive visuals was developed and evaluated. To demonstrate different pathogen behaviour, dynamic visualisations of norovirus, C. difficile, and MRSA were developed in relation to location, survival and transmission within a virtual hospital ward model using evidence-based microbiological and staff behavioural data. A three-stage evaluation process was designed, involving a mixed sample of UK National Health Service staff (doctors, nurses and domestic staff, n = 150).

Results: Participants reported improved awareness and understanding of the pathogens responsible for HAI, the types of information relevant for different staff cohorts, those aspects of the visualisations which worked well and those which were prone to cause misunderstandings, and suggestions for further development and improvement. The tool appeared to offer staff a new perspective on pathogens, being able to ‘see’ them contextualised in the virtual ward, making them seem more real.

Conclusions: Results showed the benefits of a detailed co-development process and a more contextualised understanding of the potential for visual apps to be used in IPC training.

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