Can We Expect Patients to Question Health Care Workers' Hand Hygiene Compliance?

Purpose Post-cesarean wound infection (PCWI) is a common post-operative complication that can negatively affect patients and health systems. Poor hand hygiene practice of health care professionals is a common cause of PCWI. This case study aims to describe how strategic problem solving was used to introduce an alcohol-based hand rub in a district hospital in Rwanda to improve hand hygiene compliance among health care workers and reduce PCWI. Design/methodology/approach Pre- and post-intervention study design was used to address the poor hand hygiene compliance in the maternity unit. The hospital availed an alcohol-based hand rub and the team provided training on the importance of hand hygiene. A chart audit was conducted to assess the PCWI, and an observational study was used to assess hand hygiene compliance. Findings The intervention successfully increased hand hygiene compliance of health care workers from 38.2 to 89.7 per cent, p < 0.001, and was associated with reduced hospital-acquired infection rates from 6.2 to 2.5 per cent, p = 0.083. Practical implications This case study describes the implementation process of a quality improvement project using the eight steps of strategic problem solving to introduce an alcohol-based hand rub in a district hospital in Rwanda. The intervention improved hand hygiene compliance among health care workers and reduced PCWI using available resources and effective leadership skills. Originality/value The results will inform hospitals with similar settings of steps to create an environment that enables hand hygiene practice, and in turn reduces PCWI, using available resources and strategic problem solving.

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Unexpected low hand hygiene compliance of health care workers in Taiwan: A Nation-wide covert observation program

Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection ◽

10.1016/j.jmii.2015.02.118 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. S56-S57

Author(s):

Kuan-Sheng Wu ◽

Susan Shin-Jung Lee ◽

Yen-Hsu Chen ◽

Chun-Yu Lin ◽

Huey-Shyan Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽

Care Workers ◽

Observation Program ◽

Hygiene Compliance ◽

Covert Observation

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HAND HYGIENE COMPLIANCE, KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN SOUTH INDIA

International Journal of Advanced Research ◽

10.21474/ijar01/13153 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (07) ◽

pp. 545-548

Author(s):

G. Swetha ◽

◽

V.V. Shailaja ◽

S. Rajeshwar Rao ◽

K. Nagamani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽

Role Model ◽

Care Center ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Tertiary Care Center ◽

Care Workers ◽

Hygiene Compliance

Aim and objective of the study: To assess the compliance, knowledge and perception among health care workers regarding hand hygiene by conducting regular surveillance and educational programs. This surveillance program objective is to evaluate the effect of three different educational programs on improving hand hygiene compliance, knowledge and perception among health care workers in a tertiary care center in South India Materials and Methods: It is an observational and knowledge perception study conducted ina tertiary care center, over a period of 6 months (Jan 2018 to June 2018) using WHO tools. Questionnaires were distributed to 180 participants which included Doctors, Nurses, technicians, Residents & Medical students in 5 units of the hospital (3 ICUs and 2 post-operative wards) The study is divided into Pre interventional, Interventional and Post interventional phase. The interventions included.1. Role model training. 2. Lectures with PowerPoint presentations, 3. Posters and charts representing hand hygiene protocols & motivational messages Results: Hand hygiene compliance was observed during 2153 hand hygiene opportunities and knowledge perception was assessed among 180 participants in the pre intervention and 180 participants in the post interventional period. After intervention the Hand hygiene compliance rate significantly improved in two post-operative wards and two ICUs (total four out of five units targeted). In the perception survey improvement in knowledge was observed. Strong smell of alcoholic hand rub was mentioned as a common reason for noncompliance in one ICUs. Some wrong practices like using hand rub over the glove were corrected. Conclusion: The surveillance and training program improved the hand hygiene compliance and knowledge among health care workers in four out of five units intertiary care center. Role model training had the most impact. However consistent and continuous educational and training programs are necessary to further improve and maintain the compliance rates of hand hygiene.

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