The Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI) in the management of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): a cross- sectional survey in the AST of Ascoli Piceno.

Abstract

Background: Healthcare-Related Infections (ICA) concern those infections "contracted during care, in any hospital or community health or social care setting". Given their incidence, the scientific community has invested in the Infection Prevention and Control Nurse (IPCN) as the figure assigned to the control of ICA, whose advanced and continuously updated training is fundamental for the promotion of good practices and the management of infectious emergencies. In this regard, ICA prevention requires an evidence-based strategy, contributing to patient safety, risk management and the promotion of a quality culture in healthcare facilities.

Objectives: The purpose of this work is to evaluate the educational impact of a blended learning course on nurses of the Azienda Sanitaria Territoriale (AST) of Ascoli Piceno by means of a validated questionnaire in order to understand the effectiveness of the training policies transposed at a national level and to orientate future continuous training strategies in the healthcare setting.

Materials and methods: The descriptive, cross-sectional, single-centre observational study was conducted from 1 April to 31 May 2025 involving nurses belonging to the AST Hospital of Ascoli Piceno, according to a convenience sampling. Data collection was carried out by means of a validated questionnaire consisting of a personal data section and 32 items on a Likert scale. Statistical analyses were carried out by means of Microsoft 365 software with the use of the Excel® spreadsheet and the R studio statistical software, respecting the confidentiality of personal data and adhering to the indications provided by the Good Clinical Practice standards.

Results: 222 questionnaires out of the 309 distributed were analysed, with a Response Rate (RR) of 71.8%, predominantly female nurses. The inferential analysis, performed by means of Spearman correlation (rho), revealed statistically significant associations with a p-value <0.05 between the years of professional nursing experience with the expectation, on the part of colleagues, that the professional will put into practice what he or she has learnt in training activities and with the need/difficulty of finding the time to apply the new nursing methods in the O.U. in the way they should be implemented. In particular, it can be seen how the lack of human resources can hinder the nurse practitioner, in his professional experience, to use the skills acquired in the training activity appropriately.

Discussion: In spite of the high motivation and perceived validity of the blended course participants, the transfer of skills into clinical practice is limited by organizational challenges, such as staff shortages and a tight budget. However, the work experience has a positive educational transfer, which stimulates the application of new knowledge and encourages colleagues.

Conclusions: The use of the LTSI made it possible to identify factors facilitating and hindering learning transfer. It is hoped that future research on this subject will systematically adopt structured tools for the evaluation of teaching effectiveness and the activation of follow-up training interventions.