Evaluation of a visual tool co-developed for training hospital staff on the prevention and control of the spread of healthcare associated infections

•Staff training has a crucial role in reducing the incidence of healthcare associated infections (HAIs).•The study adds value by examining the impacts achieved using dynamic visualisation approaches within a training package.•Development benefitted from involving end users, highlighting related trade-offs and tensions for designers in this field.•Greater contextualised understanding and awareness of different pathogens, location, spread and transmission were reported.•Potential for further development of visual apps and in-depth studies of what works and why is highlighted.