Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Sue E. Bell

Abstract

Since the emergence of COVID-19, healthcare workers have been in continuous risk of infection because of the way the disease is transmitted. Hence, the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is important during the pandemic. The aim of this project was to increase healthcare workers’ and patients’ disease protection and prevention. This staff education project assessed the knowledge of proper PPE practice among healthcare workers who were in close contact with COVID-19 patients and provided lectures and practice in proper donning and doffing of PPE. Guided by the Lewin theory of change, the knowledge of the 9 health care workers who attended the 2-session education was assessed prior to the education and after the education to determine if staff knowledge related to PPE use improved. Findings from the pretest and posttest conducted after the training showed that there was a 12.5 % increase in healthcare workers who appreciated the importance and sensitivity of the donning and doffing process. There was a 50% increase in healthcare workers’ reporting always involving an observer with checklist during doffing and there was a 40% increase in the participating healthcare workers reporting strict observation of the methodical technique of PPE donning/doffing. The social change expected as a result of this project is increased safety of frontline staff and the patients and families they serve in primary care practice.

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