Innovative VR Training Tool Enhances Infection Control for Clinicians

In a significant advancement for healthcare training, researchers at Mass General Brigham have unveiled a virtual reality (VR) training tool designed to enhance clinicians' understanding and execution of infection control practices. This innovative tool aims to address the critical issue of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which afflict approximately 1 in 31 patients in the United States, leading to nearly 100,000 deaths annually and incurring exorbitant medical costs of $28.4 billion as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2021.

The VR training tool focuses on core infection control concepts, specifically targeting the cleaning and disinfection of portable medical equipment, which has been identified as a significant vector for HAIs. Erica S. Shenoy, MD, PhD, the chief of Infection Control for Mass General Brigham and senior author of the study published in *Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology* in June 2025, noted, "We know that when core infection control practices are correctly and consistently applied, the risk to patients is reduced; but we also know that the way we have been teaching these practices for decades is not delivering."

The pilot program was conducted across seven healthcare facilities in the U.S., where clinicians engaged with an immersive VR module that simulates an inpatient environment. The experience incorporates gamification techniques and visualizations of invisible contaminants, allowing participants to actively engage with the training material. Participants trained on devices like vital signs machines and point-of-care ultrasound machines, which are frequently implicated in the transmission of infections due to inadequate cleaning practices.

A total of 31 participants underwent initial training, providing feedback that led to refinements in the module. An additional 44 participants later engaged with the revised program, with 88.6% reporting a positive overall experience. Despite some users experiencing common negative effects associated with VR, such as motion sickness, the overwhelming feedback highlighted the training's engaging nature and its potential to foster better retention of crucial information.

The initiative responds to alarming statistics indicating that up to 75% of HAIs are preventable through effective infection prevention practices. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the burden of HAIs is exacerbated by inadequate cleaning protocols, with studies revealing contamination rates of portable medical equipment ranging from 25% to 100%. Shenoy emphasized the necessity of modern training methods to enhance 'muscle memory' for infection control, stating, "In busy, complex healthcare settings, a new kind of training is needed that increases muscle memory for these core infection control practices."

As researchers continue to assess the impact of VR training on clinicians' competency, further studies will focus on measuring knowledge retention and skill application in real-world scenarios. The implications of this innovative training method extend beyond increased clinician competency; it also holds the potential to significantly improve patient safety and reduce the incidence of HAIs.

In conclusion, the introduction of VR technology in infection control training could represent a paradigm shift in healthcare education, combining immersive learning with practical application to foster a safer healthcare environment. As the healthcare sector increasingly adopts advanced technologies, ongoing research will be crucial in evaluating the effectiveness and scalability of such innovative training solutions.

Source: Barreto, E. A., et al. (2025). Getting real clean: a virtual reality training pilot study for cleaning and low-level disinfection of portable medical equipment. *Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology*. doi.org/10.1017/ice.2025.89.