Universal Masking to Prevent Nosocomial Respiratory Viral Infections in Malignant Hematology Inpatient Units

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s501-s502
Author(s):  
Vishnuka Arulsundaram ◽  
Kelsey Houston ◽  
Elisa Vicencio ◽  
Carly Rebelo ◽  
Alon Vaisman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hospital Infection Control ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
The Impact

Background: Patients with hematologic malignancies are at increased risk for respiratory virus infections (RVIs) and may experience prolonged asymptomatic viral shedding contributing to transmission. In response to 2 extensive RVI outbreaks in our adult cancer center, a universal masking policy was implemented whereby inpatients on malignant hematology units and their visitors were required to wear procedure masks whenever they were walking outside their rooms. Visitors were required to mask when inside patient rooms. Staff were not included in the policy. Here, we describe the impact of universal masking on the incidence of nosocomial RVI in malignant hematology patients. Methods: In this before-and-after study, we examined the effects of universal masking in malignant hematology units of a 170-bed adult cancer hospital in Toronto, Canada, between January 1, 2015, and September 30, 2019. Nosocomial RVI incidence, RVI outbreak descriptions, and hand hygiene compliance rates were collected from hospital infection control databases. Mask utilization was extracted from hospital purchasing records. Staff influenza vaccination rates were obtained from occupational health records. RVI incidence rates before and after the intervention were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results: The preimplementation phase ran from January 1, 2015, to February 28, 2017, and the postimplementation phase spanned March 1, 2017, to September 30, 2019. Monthly mask utilization on malignant hematology units increased by 105% after implementing the universal masking policy. Nosocomial RVI incidence decreased significantly after implementing the universal masking policy, and the number of cases involved in RVI outbreaks also decreased (Table 1). There was a 14% increase in nasopharyngeal swab orders after implementation. Staff influenza vaccination rates, hand hygiene compliance and infection control policies remained stable throughout the study. Conclusions: A reduction in the incidence of nosocomial RVI and number of RVI cases in outbreaks was observed after implementing the universal masking policy. Although we were unable to directly measure compliance with the intervention, increased mask utilization after the intervention implied adherence to the policy. Our experience suggests that universal masking in malignant hematology inpatients may be an effective RVI prevention strategy. Further rigorous study is warranted.Funding: NoneDisclosures: Susy Hota reports contract research for Finch Therapeutics.

scholarly journals Access to Alcohol-Based Hand Rub Is Associated With Improved Hand Hygiene in an Ebola-Threatened District of Western Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s457-s457
Author(s):  
Mohammed Lamorde ◽  
Matthew Lozier ◽  
Maureen Kesande ◽  
Patricia Akers ◽  
Olive Tumuhairwe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Improve Hand Hygiene ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Handwashing With Soap

Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is highly transmissible and has a high mortality rate. During outbreaks, EVD can spread across international borders. Inadequate hand hygiene places healthcare workers (HCWs) at increased risk for healthcare-associated infections, including EVD. In high-income countries, alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) can improve hand hygiene compliance among HCWs in healthcare facilities (HCF). We evaluated local production and district-wide distribution of a WHO-recommended ABHR formulation and associations between ABHR availability in HCF and HCW hand hygiene compliance. Methods: The evaluation included 30 HCF in Kabarole District, located in Western Uganda near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where an EVD outbreak has been ongoing since August 2018. We recorded baseline hand hygiene practices before and after patient contact among 46 healthcare workers across 20 HCFs in August 2018. Subsequently, in late 2018, WHO/UNICEF distributed commercially produced ABHR to all 30 HCFs in Kabarole as part of Ebola preparedness efforts. In February 2019, our crossover evaluation distributed 20 L locally produced ABHR to each of 15 HCFs. From June 24–July 5, 2019, we performed follow-up observations of hand hygiene practices among 68 HCWs across all 30 HCFs. We defined hand hygiene as handwashing with soap or using ABHR. We conducted focus groups with healthcare workers at baseline and follow-up. Results: We observed hand hygiene compliance before and after 203 and 308 patient contacts at baseline and follow-up, respectively. From baseline to follow-up, hand hygiene compliance before patient contact increased for ABHR use (0% to 17%) and handwashing with soap (0% to 5%), for a total increase from 0% to 22% (P < .0001). Similarly, hand hygiene after patient contact increased from baseline to follow-up for ABHR use (from 3% to 55%), and handwashing with soap decreased (from 12% to 7%), yielding a net increase in hand hygiene compliance after patient contact from 15% to 62% (P < .0001). Focus groups found that HCWs prefer ABHR to handwashing because it is faster and more convenient. Conclusions: In an HCF in Kabarole District, the introduction of ABHR appeared to improve hand hygiene compliance. However, the confirmation of 3 EVD cases in Uganda 120 km from Kabarole District 2 weeks before our follow-up hand hygiene observations may have influenced healthcare worker behavior and hand hygiene compliance. Local production and district-wide distribution of ABHR is feasible and may contribute to improved hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers.Funding: NoneDisclosures: Mohammed Lamorde, Contracted Research - Janssen Pharmaceutica, ViiV, Mylan

scholarly journals “The role as a champion is to not only monitor but to speak out and to educate”: the contradictory roles of hand hygiene champions

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassie Cunningham Goedken ◽  
Daniel J. Livorsi ◽  
Michael Sauder ◽  
Mark W. Vander Weg ◽  
Emily E. Chasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Improve Hand Hygiene ◽  
Frontline Staff ◽  
Hygiene Compliance

Abstract Background Implementation science experts define champions as “supporting, marketing, and driving through an implementation, overcoming indifference or resistance that the intervention may provoke in an organization.” Many hospitals use designated clinical champions—often called “hand hygiene (HH) champions”—typically to improve hand hygiene compliance. We conducted an ethnographic examination of how infection control teams in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) use the term “HH champion” and how they define the role. Methods An ethnographic study was conducted with infection control teams and frontline staff directly involved with hand hygiene across 10 geographically dispersed VHA facilities in the USA. Individual and group semi-structured interviews were conducted with hospital epidemiologists, infection preventionists, multi-drug-resistant organism (MDRO) program coordinators, and quality improvement specialists and frontline staff from June 2014 to September 2017. The team coded the transcripts using thematic content analysis content based on a codebook composed of inductive and deductive themes. Results A total of 173 healthcare workers participated in interviews from the 10 VHA facilities. All hand hygiene programs at each facility used the term HH champion to define a core element of their hand hygiene programs. While most described the role of HH champions as providing peer-to-peer coaching, delivering formal and informal education, and promoting hand hygiene, a majority also included hand hygiene surveillance. This conflation of implementation strategies led to contradictory responsibilities for HH champions. Participants described additional barriers to the role of HH champions, including competing priorities, staffing hierarchies, and turnover in the role. Conclusions Healthcare systems should consider narrowly defining the role of the HH champion as a dedicated individual whose mission is to overcome resistance and improve hand hygiene compliance—and differentiate it from the role of a “compliance auditor.” Returning to the traditional application of the implementation strategy may lead to overall improvements in hand hygiene and reduction of the transmission of healthcare-acquired infections.

scholarly journals Reducing hospital-acquired infections and improving the rational use of antibiotics in a developing country: an effectiveness study

2014 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 454-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Indah K Murni ◽  
Trevor Duke ◽  
Sharon Kinney ◽  
Andrew J Daley ◽  
Yati Soenarto
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Antibiotic Stewardship ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Rational Use Of Antibiotics ◽  
Hospital Acquired

BackgroundPrevention of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) is central to providing safe and high quality healthcare. Transmission of infection between patients by health workers, and the irrational use of antibiotics have been identified as preventable aetiological factors for HAIs. Few studies have addressed this in developing countries.AimsTo implement a multifaceted infection control and antibiotic stewardship programme and evaluate its effectiveness on HAIs and antibiotic use.MethodsA before-and-after study was conducted over 27 months in a teaching hospital in Indonesia. All children admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit and paediatric wards were observed daily. Assessment of HAIs was made based on the criteria from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The multifaceted intervention consisted of a hand hygiene campaign, antibiotic stewardship (using the WHO Pocket Book of Hospital Care for Children guidelines as standards of antibiotic prescribing for community-acquired infections), and other elementary infection control practices. Data were collected using an identical method in the preintervention and postintervention periods.ResultsWe observed a major reduction in HAIs, from 22.6% (277/1227 patients) in the preintervention period to 8.6% (123/1419 patients) in the postintervention period (relative risk (RR) (95% CI) 0.38 (0.31 to 0.46)). Inappropriate antibiotic use declined from 43% (336 of 780 patients who were prescribed antibiotics) to 20.6% (182 of 882 patients) (RR 0.46 (0.40 to 0.55)). Hand hygiene compliance increased from 18.9% (319/1690) to 62.9% (1125/1789) (RR 3.33 (2.99 to 3.70)). In-hospital mortality decreased from 10.4% (127/1227) to 8% (114/1419) (RR 0.78 (0.61 to 0.97)).ConclusionsMultifaceted infection control interventions are effective in reducing HAI rates, improving the rational use of antibiotics, increasing hand hygiene compliance, and may reduce mortality in hospitalised children in developing countries.

scholarly journals Impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Hand Hygiene Approach over 13 Years in 51 Cities of 19 Limited-Resource Countries from Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor D. Rosenthal ◽  
Mandakini Pawar ◽  
Hakan Leblebicioglu ◽  
Josephine Anne Navoa-Ng ◽  
Wilmer Villamil-Gómez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Nosocomial Infection ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Performance Feedback ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Administrative Support ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Improve Hand Hygiene ◽  
Hygiene Compliance

Objective.To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) multi-dimensional hand hygiene approach in 19 limited-resource countries and to analyze predictors of poor hand hygiene compliance.Design.An observational, prospective, cohort, interventional, before-and-after study from April 1999 through December 2011. The study was divided into 2 periods: a 3-month baseline period and a 7-year follow-up period.Setting.Ninety-nine intensive care unit (ICU) members of the INICC in Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Greece, India, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, and Turkey.Participants.Healthcare workers at 99 ICU members of the INICC.Methods.A multidimensional hand hygiene approach was used, including (1) administrative support, (2) supplies availability, (3) education and training, (4) reminders in the workplace, (5) process surveillance, and (6) performance feedback. Observations were made for hand hygiene compliance in each ICU, during randomly selected 30-minute periods.Results.A total of 149,727 opportunities for hand hygiene were observed. Overall hand hygiene compliance increased from 48.3% to 71.4% (P < .01). Univariate analysis indicated that several variables were significantly associated with poor hand hygiene compliance, including males versus females (63% vs 70%; P<.001), physicians versus nurses (62% vs 72%; P<.001), and adult versus neonatal ICUs (67% vs 81%; P<.001), among others.Conclusions.Adherence to hand hygiene increased by 48% with the INICC approach. Specific programs directed to improve hand hygiene for variables found to be predictors of poor hand hygiene compliance should be implemented.

Variability in the Hawthorne Effect With Regard to Hand Hygiene Performance in High- and Low-Performing Inpatient Care Units

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 222-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erol Kohli ◽  
Judy Ptak ◽  
Randall Smith ◽  
Eileen Taylor ◽  
Elizabeth A. Talbot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Inpatient Care ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Hawthorne Effect ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Student Intern

Objective.To determine the impact of known observers on hand hygiene performance in inpatient care units with differing baseline levels of hand hygiene compliance.Design.Observational study.Setting.Three inpatient care units, selected on the basis of past hand hygiene performance, in a hospital where hand hygiene observation and feedback are routine.Participants.Three infection control practitioners (ICPs) and a student intern observed hospital staff.Methods.Beginning in late 2005, the 3 ICPs, who were well known to the hospital staff, performed frequent, regular observations of hand hygiene in all 3 inpatient care units of the hospital, as part of routine surveillance. During the study period (January-May 2007), a student intern who was unknown to the hospital staff also performed observations of hand hygiene in the 3 inpatient care units. The rates of hand hygiene compliance observed by the 3 ICPs were compared with those observed by the student intern.Results.The 3 ICPs observed 332 opportunities for hand hygiene during 15 observation periods, and the student intern observed 355 opportunities during 19 observation periods. The overall rate of hand hygiene compliance observed by the ICPs was 65% (ie, in 215 of the 332 opportunities, the performance of proper hand hygiene by hospital staff was observed), and the overall rate of hand hygiene compliance observed by the student intern was 58% (ie, in 207 of the 355 opportunities, the performance of proper hand hygiene by hospital staff was observed) (P = .1). Both the ICPs and the student intern were able to distinguish between inpatient care units with a high rate of hand hygiene compliance (hereafter referred to as high-performing units) and those with a low rate (hereafter referred to as low-performing units). However, in the 2 high-performing units, the ICPs observed significantly higher compliance rates than did the student intern, whereas in the low-performing unit, both the ICPs and the student intern measured similarly low rates of hand hygiene compliance.Conclusions.Recognized observers are associated with higher rates of hand hygiene compliance, even in a healthcare setting where such observations have become routine. This effect (ie, the Hawthorne effect) is more pronounced in high-performing units and insignificant in low-performing units. The use of unrecognized observers may be important for verifying high performance but is probably unnecessary for documenting poor performance. Moreover, the Hawthorne effect may be a useful tool for sustaining and improving hand hygiene compliance.

scholarly journals Impact of Infection Control Training Program in Improving the Quality of Healthcare

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aeshah N. Alqahtani ◽  
Rana H. Almaghrabi ◽  
Mohammed M. Albaadani ◽  
Khalid Almossa
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Quality Of Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infection ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of various training programs and guidelines on improving the healthcare quality and patient. The training programs that we have explained in this study are related to Hand Hygiene compliance, Improving clinical outcomes and reducing financial burden and Preventing healthcare associated infection, This study Applied to many health institutions and healthcare employees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, It is from this analysis that improve quality of healthcare through control training program, IPC training program improve hand hygiene compliance and reduces the HAIs prevalence, improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare costs, training of all the persons involved in primary healthcare may fill the IPC gaps.

scholarly journals Impact of Replacing Powdered Gloves With Powder-free Gloves on Hand-hygiene Compliance Among Healthcare Workers of an Intensive Care Unit: a Quasi-experimental Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayra Gonçalves Menegueti ◽  
Fernando Bellissimo-Rodrigues ◽  
Marcia A. Ciol ◽  
Maria Auxiliadora-Martins ◽  
Anibal Basile-Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Latex Gloves ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Powdered Latex Gloves

Abstract Background/Objective. After wearing powdered gloves, healthcare workers (HCW) are supposed to wash their hands instead of using alcohol-based hand-rub (ABHR). Washing hands takes longer than using ABHR, and the use of powdered gloves may be an obstacle to hand-hygiene compliance. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of replacing powdered gloves with powder-free gloves on hand-hygiene compliance among HCW of an intensive care unit (ICU). Methods. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in a general ICU of a tertiary care university hospital in Brazil. From June 1st to July 15th, 2017, all HCW were provided with powdered latex gloves only for all clinical procedures. From July 15th to August 31st, 2017, HCW were provided with nitrile powder-free gloves only. Hand-hygiene compliance was assessed through direct observation, and evaluated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Hand Hygiene guidelines. We calculated that a sample size of 544 hand hygiene opportunities needed to be observed per period. Data analysis were performed using the STATA SE® version 14, and we compared the individual’s percentage of compliance using the t test for paired data before and after the intervention.Results. Overall, 40 HCW were assessed before and after the introduction of nitrile powder-free gloves, with 1114 and 1139 observations of hand hygiene opportunities, respectively. The proportion of compliance with hand hygiene was 55% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 51-59%) using powdered latex gloves and 60% (95% CI: 57-63%) using powder-free gloves. The difference in proportions between the two types of gloves was 5.1% (95% CI: 2.5-7.6%, p<0.001).Conclusion. Our data indicate that replacing powdered gloves with powder-free gloves positively influenced hand-hygiene compliance by HCW in an ICU setting.

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