Considerations for hand hygiene to reduce hospital acquired infections in practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 448-452
Author(s):  
Gina Parkes
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Professional Conduct ◽  
Safe Environment ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Veterinary Surgeons ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hospital Acquired

As veterinary nurses, our role as set out in the professional conduct guidance by the RCVS states that when providing care, veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses should ‘ensure a hygienic and safe environment’. This means that we should actively contribute to the careful consideration of day-to-day practices within the clinic that safeguard patients to ensure that when they enter they clinics, they are not exposed to increased risk from infection. Understanding the need for good hand hygiene in clinic, along with the appropriate considerations, means that we are able to implement good practice.

scholarly journals Correlation between Antibiotic Consumption and Hand Hygiene Compliance Among Anesthesia and Intensive Care Healthcare Professionals

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-48
Author(s):  
Emanuela Santoro ◽  
Marco Fiore ◽  
Sebastiano Leone ◽  
Armando Masucci ◽  
Roberta Manente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Alcoholic Solution ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Consumption Data ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the correct use of gloves and alcohol-based products for hand hygiene and identify opportunities for hand hygiene replacement with gloves among healthcare professionals working in the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care of a tertiary care University Hospital. Background: Two centuries have passed since the discovery of Semmelweis that the “puerperal fever” was due to an infection transmitted by the hands. Currently the hand hygiene is still not well performed, rather it is often replaced by the improper use of gloves. Microbial transmission is estimated to occur in one-fifth of all contact cases. Objective: To investigate the correct use of gloves and alcohol-based products for hand hygiene and identify opportunities for hand hygiene replacement with gloves among healthcare professionals. Furthermore, to correlate the consumption data of the hydroalcoholic solution and the amount of antibiotics used for the treatment of hospital-acquired infections. Method: The study was conducted over six months period (from January to June 2018); during this period, 20 monitoring sessions were performed. The following indicators were evaluated: a) Non-adherence to hand hygiene with concomitant use of gloves; b) Adhesion to alcoholic friction of hands; c) Hand-washing adhesion. Instead, the consumption data, provided by the hospital ward itself, were used for the evaluation of d) The antibiotics used in the treatment of hospital-acquired infections; e) The hydro-alcoholic solution used by the healthcare professionals for hand hygiene. Results: The frequency of non-adherence to hand hygiene was very high at the beginning of the study, subsequently it decreased to about a half percent to that at the initial stage. The adhesion to alcoholic friction of hands increased during the study period. Otherwise, the hand-washing adhesion slightly reduced, especially in March probably due to the recruitment of new inadequately trained nursing staff. The trend of antibiotic consumption was similar to handwashing. The consumption of hydro-alcoholic solution was very low, however over time, it increased considerably until the end of the study. Conclusion: In light of the findings from this work, it is necessary to make the hospital staff increasingly aware of the correct practice of hand hygiene and to organize training and informative sessions to promote the health of the individual and the community.

scholarly journals Using environmental engineering to increase hand hygiene compliance: a cross-over study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e017108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Ann Schmidtke ◽  
Navneet Aujla ◽  
Tom Marshall ◽  
Abid Hussain ◽  
Gerard P Hodgkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Total Duration ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
South Central ◽  
Priming Condition ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Hospital Acquired

IntroductionCompliance with hand hygiene recommendations in hospital is typically less than 50%. Such low compliance inevitably contributes to hospital-acquired infections that negatively affect patients’ well-being and hospitals’ finances. The design of the present study is predicated on the assumption that most people who fail to clean their hands are not doing so intentionally, they just forget. The present study will test whether psychological priming can be used to increase the number of people who clean their hands on entering a ward. Here, we present the protocol for this study.Methods and analysisThe study will use a randomised cross-over design. During the study, each of four wards will be observed during four conditions: olfactory prime, visual prime, both primes and neither prime. Each condition will be experienced for 42 days followed by a 7-day washout period (total duration of trial=189 days). We will record the number of people who enter each ward and whether they clean their hands during observation sessions, the amount of cleaning material used from the dispensers each week and the number of hospital-acquired infections that occur in each period. The outcomes will be compared using a regression analysis. Following the initial trail, the most effective priming condition will be rolled out for 3 months in all the wards.Ethics and disseminationResearch ethics approval was obtained from the South Central—Oxford C Research Ethics Committee (16/SC/0554), the Health Regulatory Authority and the sponsor.Trial registration numberISRCTN (15397624); Edge ID 86357.

scholarly journals Impact of a hand hygiene educational programme on hospital-acquired infections in medical wards

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 1212-1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Monistrol ◽  
E. Calbo ◽  
M. Riera ◽  
C. Nicolás ◽  
R. Font ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Educational Programme ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Medical Wards ◽  
Hospital Acquired

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 Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of nursing students on Hospital Acquired Infections in Western region of Nepal

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishwari Sharama Paudel ◽  
Vivek Ghosh ◽  
Purushottam Adhikari
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Western Region ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Hospital Acquired ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

Background & Objectives: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a common problem and challenge faced by hospitals in all countries around the world. Nurses are an important part of the healthcare team that plays a unique role in the control of HAIs. Compliance on the part of healthcare workers (HCWs) including nurses with standard precautions has been recognized as being an efficient means to prevent and control HAIs. The present study was conducted with objective of understanding the level of Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding HAIs among nursing students in the Western Region of Nepal.Materials & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among nursing students posted in different wards of two hospitals of Pokhara. A self administered questionnaire containing different set of questions regarding knowledge, attitude and practice on HAI were used for data collection.Results: Among the total participants in the study 97% of the participants considered that prevention of HAIs were a valuable part of nurses’ role but only 89% had received formal training regarding hand hygiene. The results show that 74% of the participants had good knowledge regarding HAIs. 82% of the participants felt that they would be less likely to transmit infection to the patient if they performed hand-hygiene. 66% of them identified that hand hygiene agents were not readily available in current settings. Regarding practice, only 6% performed hand hygiene before patient contact.Conclusion: The nursing students had good knowledge regarding HAIs that was reflected in their attitude and practice on hand hygiene for the prevention of HAIs. However there is the need of regular training and performance feedback regarding hand hygiene and the hospital environment should be hand-hygiene friendly with easily accessible to sinks and other facilities.

scholarly journals Attitude of health care professional students towards hand hygiene

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 3969
Author(s):  
Rintu Jayan ◽  
Riya Paul ◽  
Riyamol Abraham ◽  
Riyamol Roy ◽  
Roniya Dominic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Professional Students ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Background: Hands are the principal route of nosocomial infections or hospital acquired infections or health associated infections. Hand hygiene is effective in reducing infection rates. Hand hygiene among the health care professionals play a pivotal role in preventing the transmission of hospital acquired infections. The aim of the study was to assess the attitude regarding hand hygiene among students of healthcare professions.Methods: Quantitative research approach and descriptive survey design were used for the study. The purposive sampling technique was adopted to select 100 samples, 25 each from MBBS, BDS, B.Sc. Nursing and BPT. A structured attitude scale was used to collect the data. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The study results showed that majorities (55%) of sample were in the age of 22 years, majorities (90%) were females, and majority (98%) of sample had previous information regarding hand hygiene. The entire study sample had favorable attitudes towards hand hygiene. The study showed a significant association between attitude scores and receiving previous information on hand hygiene.Conclusions: The study concluded that health professional students have favorable attitude towards hand hygiene. 

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Staff nurses on Hospital Acquired Infections in tertiary care Hospital of Dhaka city

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 347-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
ASM Anwarul Kabir ◽  
Farjana Akhter ◽  
Mahbuba Sharmin ◽  
Khaleda Akhter ◽  
Mosammat Beauty Begum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Staff Nurses ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Dhaka City ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Hospital Acquired ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

Introduction : Hospital acquired Infections (HAIs) are called those infections that were not present at the time of patient’ hospitalization in a hospital and have been acquired after hospitalization. Nurses are an important part of the any healthcare team who play a unique role in the control of Hospital acquired infections. Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of staff nurses about preventing the spread of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) at tertiary care Hospital of Dhaka city. Methods and Materials : This descriptive cross-sectional study was done among nurses having two years experience from two tertiary level hospitals in Dhaka city during January to June 2017. Self administered questionnaire containing different set of questions regarding knowledge, attitude and practice on HAI were used as a tool for data collection. Questionnaire was supplied to all staff nurses available at different in-patient wards of these two hospitals. Only 234 staff nurses who completed and returned the questionnaire were included in this study. Data were analyzed using Microsoft excel 2013 software. Result : Staff nurses were found to have good knowledge, moderately positive attitude but poor practice in prevention of hospital acquired infections. About 95% of the participants considered that prevention of HAIs were a valuable part of their role. About 65% of the staff nurses had received formal training regarding hand hygiene. The 100 % of participants felt that they would be less likely to transmit infection to the patients if they performed hand-hygiene. About 64% of them argued that hand hygiene agents were not readily available in current settings. Regarding practice, only 6% performed hand hygiene before patients contact and 27% of the staff nurses reported that they often forgot to perform hand hygiene. Conclusion : The finding of this study revealed a good knowledge of infection prevention among the majority of participants with relatively minimal level of practice. For strengthening the knowledge, attitude and practice towards HAIs, there is in need of developing regular training program and monitoring on performance feedback regarding hand hygiene is recommended. Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.10(1) Jul 2018: 347-350

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