Optimizing Personal Protective Equipment Donning and Doffing Among Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A Quasi‐Experimental Comparison of Mobile App–Based and Traditional Training Using Ultraviolet‐Fluorescent Simulation

BACKGROUND: Correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for infection prevention in intensive care settings; however, deficiencies in donning and doffing techniques remain common among nurses. AIM: To compare the effects of mobile application (app)-based and printed educational materials on intensive care unit nurses' knowledge and skills related to PPE donning and doffing. STUDY DESIGN: This quasi-experimental study included nurses working in the anaesthesia intensive care unit of a university hospital in İzmir, Turkey. RESULTS: A total of 40 nurses participated in the study (printed material group, n = 20; mobile application group, n = 20). Both groups had high baseline knowledge scores (89.00 ± 10.65 vs. 96.33 ± 7.32). Mean PPE skill scores increased from 85.83 ± 6.81 to 97.50 ± 3.14 in the printed material group and from 84.79 ± 7.79 to 94.37 ± 5.61 in the mobile application group immediately after training, but decreased at Week 8 after training (85.62 ± 6.11 and 87.08 ± 6.18, respectively). UV-fluorescent simulation enabled visualization of contamination areas and increased awareness of contamination routes during PPE use. CONCLUSIONS: Both printed educational materials and mobile app-based education improved PPE donning and doffing performance in the short term. However, declining skill levels indicate that one-time training is insufficient to maintain PPE competence. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: PPE education in intensive care units should combine structured instruction, repeated practice and visual feedback. UV-fluorescent simulation may strengthen contamination awareness and support infection prevention training.