Reorganization of nurse scheduling reduces the risk of healthcare associated infections

Abstract Efficient prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) is still an open problem. Using contact data from wearable sensors at a short-stay geriatric ward, we propose a proof-of-concept modeling study that reorganizes nurse schedules for efficient infection control. This...

Descripción completa

Guardado en:
Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Eugenio Valdano, Chiara Poletto, Pierre-Yves Boëlle, Vittoria Colizza
Formato: article
Lenguaje:EN
Publicado: Nature Portfolio 2021
Materias:
R
Q
Acceso en línea:https://doaj.org/article/822e9a8939f04cf3ad2a4d26d2fbf362
Etiquetas: Agregar Etiqueta
Sin Etiquetas, Sea el primero en etiquetar este registro!
Descripción
Sumario:Abstract Efficient prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) is still an open problem. Using contact data from wearable sensors at a short-stay geriatric ward, we propose a proof-of-concept modeling study that reorganizes nurse schedules for efficient infection control. This strategy switches and reassigns nurses’ tasks through the optimization of shift timelines, while respecting feasibility constraints and satisfying patient-care requirements. Through a Susceptible-Colonized-Susceptible transmission model, we found that schedules reorganization reduced HAI risk by 27% (95% confidence interval [24, 29]%) while preserving timeliness, number, and duration of contacts. More than 30% nurse-nurse contacts should be avoided to achieve an equivalent reduction through simple contact removal. Nurse scheduling can be reorganized to break potential chains of transmission and substantially limit HAI risk, while ensuring the timeliness and quality of healthcare services. This calls for including optimization of nurse scheduling practices in programs for infection control in hospitals.