Bridgeport, W.Va. – A collaborative educational initiative developed by a team comprised of Nursing Education, Infection Prevention, and NPAC Quality & Performance Improvement Committee at WVU Medicine United Hospital Center (UHC) is making a nationwide impact in the fight against Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs).
The “Foley Escape Room” is an interactive, simulation-based experience designed to increase nursing staff awareness of CAUTI risk factors and prevention best practices. “This initiative has been a game-changer in how we approach patient safety education,” said Ashley Reynolds, MSN, RN, CV-BC, coordinator Nurse Education, at UHC. “It’s an engaging and effective way to ensure nursing staff internalize best practices for CAUTI prevention, leading to better patient outcomes.”
WVU Medicine United Hospital Center
Following its successful implementation at UHC, the team shared the innovative concept on a national forum for nurse educators to exchange ideas. The response has been significant, with 17 health systems across 16 states including Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Arizona, Nebraska, New York, Wisconsin, Maine, Virginia, Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina, Kentucky, Connecticut, and Minnesota—personally connecting with the team.
These institutions are now working to adopt and customize the escape room model to meet the specific educational needs of their own nursing staff, demonstrating UHC’s commitment to advancing healthcare education and patient safety on a national level. “Seeing health systems across the country adopt our model reinforces the universal need for innovative training solutions,” said Victoria M Lott, MPH, MLS, CIC, manager of Infection Prevention, at UHC. “It’s inspiring to see our local initiative contribute to a national effort to improve patient care.”
For more information contact: Matt Chisler Director of Public Relations at United Hospital Center, 681.342.1611
About WVU Medicine United Hospital Center
United Hospital Center (UHC) is the result of a merger between St. Mary’s and Union Protestant hospitals in 1970. This bold move provides North Central West Virginia with a regional community hospital that offers a vast array of services. The new UHC opened in 2010 and is located along I-79 in Bridgeport. The 736,403 square foot structure rises eight stories. It is designed around the environment with patients, family, employees, and community in mind, which includes enhanced patient privacy, a high level of technological integration, and improved access to care. The acute care facility has 292 private inpatient rooms and a medical staff that consists of more than 366 physicians, advanced practice providers, and allied health professionals. UHC has more than 2,613 employees and is a member of WVU Medicine (West Virginia United Health System). For more information about UHC, please visit uhcwv.org.