In 2020, as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic progressed, the number of cases among health care workers in hospitals were rising. Since vaccines were still being developed, the most effective way to protect hospital staff was to equip them with strong knowledge and skills in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. To this end, Geneva University Hospitals, which operates eight hospitals in the Canton of Geneva, developed a serious online game called “Escape COVID-19" directed at health care workers to strengthen knowledge and compliance with patient care and safety protocols against COVID-19.
The game consists of a series of scenarios. In each scenario, the player is reminded of choices related to COVID-19 IPC practices. For example: the player has to select the correct rules related to the use of gloves where options include ‘change gloves for each different treatment requiring hand hygiene’, ‘don gloves as soon as you enter the room’.
At the end of each question/scenario the correct answer is revealed together with an explanation of the recommended guidance. This is displayed irrespective of a correct or wrong response. The game has four different levels with the final one specifically designed for the information needs of professionals working in high-dependency and intensive care wards. The health care workers who complete all levels receive a certificate.
The game has two versions. One was designed to target health care professionals including physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, assistants, technicians and therapists. The other was designed for non-medical hospital staff such as stretcher-bearers and housekeepers, who have close and regular contact with patients and therefore play a role in COVID-19 transmission.
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