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Video games could help in the battle against hospital-acquired infections, a company claims.
A pioneering project is using computer games to make UK healthcare staff more aware of highly resistant pathogens such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile.
The “games-based learning” scheme is being developed by VEGA, a UK-based specialist professional services company, which has numerous UK Government contracts as well as the NHS as clients.
Staff at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS trusts, and the North West Ambulance Service Trust, are currently being trained by using the games.
It is hoped the games will provide an innovative approach to controlling healthcare-associated infections in hospitals, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
VEGA spokesman Steve Jarvis said: “Initial findings from our research show that the attitude of healthcare workers is a factor in whether they choose to adhere to infection control policies.
“We are currently investigating how and when we could use games-based learning when training healthcare workers about infection control issues.
“If we can use games to engage people, we have the potential to create more effective training and learning.”
An HPA spokeswoman stressed that the games are only at the prototype stage and are being used for research purposes.
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