The effect of education on improving hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers

Background: Proper hand hygiene is the most effective way to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Hand hygiene compliance rates among healthcare workers remain unsatisfactory. This study investigated the effects of unit in-service education on hand hygiene compliance in an Interventional Radiology and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory department in a tertiary hospital in Florida. Methods: An observational study was conducted for five weeks. A total of 120 participants, consisting of 40 physicians, 40 registered nurses, 40 technologists were observed by a secret shopper pre-education and post education. A pre-education baseline compliance rate was established for each group. Pre-education observation occurred for two weeks before the intervention, one week for the implementation of unit in-service education, another two weeks for post education observation. The hand hygiene audit tool was utilized to record the observation data. Data analysis: Quantitative data were analyzed using a one-tailed T-test to determine P values for each group. Results: Results showed a 20 % increase among physicians, 15% among nurses and 5% among technologists. There was a statistical significance for the physician and nurse groups. Conclusion: The study implies that education is an effective intervention in improving hand hygiene compliance rates among the staff in the interventional radiology and cardiac catheterization department.

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Monitoring Hand hygiene Compliance among Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Care Center: Use of Secret Observers Is the Way Forward

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofx163.1023 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. S409-S409

Author(s):

Amar Krishna ◽

Bhagyashri Navalkele ◽

Amina Pervaiz ◽

Aditya Kotecha ◽

Shahram Maroof ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hand Hygiene ◽

Performance Feedback ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽

Medical Center ◽

Care Center ◽

Compliance Rate ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Smartphone App ◽

Hygiene Compliance

Abstract Background Hand-hygiene (HH) is known to be the most effective way to reduce healthcare acquired conditions (HACs). Despite being a simple answer to the complex HAC issue, compliance with HH practice has been abysmal with reported compliance rate of 40% among healthcare workers (HCWs). In 2015, compliance rate with HH at Detroit Medical Center (DMC) was reported to be 100% when direct observers were used to monitor compliance. In order to confirm the previously reported compliance rates, this study used secret observers to audit HH compliance and provide performance feedback to HCWs. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted at DMC from June 2016 to December 2016. Hand hygiene committee was established comprising of Infection Prevention and Hospital leadership members. Trained medical residents were appointed as “secret observers” to provide accurate HH reporting. HH auditing was performed using the smartphone app “Speedy audits” to survey and capture the 5 moments of hand hygiene among HCWs. Compliance reports based on different professions, hospital sites, unit locations and auditors were generated using online web portal and analyzed to determine HH compliance rate. Results During the 7-month study period when secret observers were used, a total of 1229 HCWs were observed. Overall, the HH opportunity compliance rate was 31% (916 complied opportunities /2939 opportunities). Hand hygiene compliance rates drastically fell when secret observers were used (31% compared with 100% in 2015 using direct observers). Based on two major before and after patient contact indications, 1022 compliances were observed from 3343 opportunities (30.5% compliance rate). The other compliance rates were 44% before aseptic procedure, 35% after body fluid exposure and 20% after patient environment contact [Figure 1]. Based on profession, compliance rates were lowest among nurses (613/2058; 30%) and medical students (36/169; 21%) when compared with physicians (445/957; 46%). Conclusion Hand-hygiene monitoring by secret observers with use of smartphone app is a feasible and accurate way for tracking HH compliance. The advantage of generating profession-based and unit-based reports for feedback will help to promote HH awareness and improve adherence rates. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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An Electronic Hand Hygiene Surveillance Device: A Pilot Study Exploring Surrogate Markers for Hand Hygiene Compliance

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/652527 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 31 (6) ◽

pp. 634-639 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Andrew G. Sahud ◽

Nitin Bhanot ◽

Anita Radhakrishnan ◽

Rajinder Bajwa ◽

Harish Manyam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Phase I ◽

Phase Ii ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽

Electronic Device ◽

Compliance Rate ◽

Patient Room ◽

Hygiene Compliance

Objective.To evaluate the feasibility of using an electronic hand hygiene surveillance and feedback monitoring device.Design.A 2-phase pilot study included initial direct observation of hand hygiene practices as part of routine hospital quality assurance (phase I) and subsequent monitoring using an electronic hand hygiene surveillance device (phase II).Setting.A 700-bed tertiary care teaching hospital.Participants.Phase I included a convenience sample of healthcare workers. Phase II included 7 medical interns and 7 registered nurses recruited through email and at work-related meetings.Methods.During phase I, healthcare workers were directly observed at patient room entry and exit during the period April through November 2008. During phase II, hand hygiene data were gathered through indirect observation using the electronic device during a 4-week period in August 2009. Twenty patient rooms were fitted with electronic trigger devices that signaled a reader unit worn by participants when they entered the room, and 70 dispensers for liquid soap or hand sanitizer were fitted with triggers that signaled the reader unit when the dispenser was used. The accuracy of the devices was checked by the principal investigator, who manually recorded his room entries and exits and dispenser use while wearing a reader unit.Results.During phase I, hand hygiene occurred before room entry for 95 (25.1%) and after room exit for 149 (39.4%) of 378 directly observed patient room visits, for a cumulative composite compliance rate of 32.3%. Among the 378 room visits, 347 (91.8%) involved contact with the patient and/or environment. During phase II, electronic monitoring revealed a cumulative composite compliance rate of 25.5%. The electronic device captured 61 (98%) of 62 manually recorded room entries and 133 (95%) of 140 manually recorded dispensing events.Conclusions.The electronic hand hygiene surveillance device seems to be a practical method for routinely monitoring hand hygiene compliance in healthcare workers.

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Hand Hygiene Compliance Study at a Large Central Hospital in Vietnam

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16040607 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 607 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Cam Le ◽

Erik Lehman ◽

Thanh Nguyen ◽

Timothy Craig

Keyword(s):

Quality Assurance ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Medical Center ◽

Compliance Rate ◽

World Health ◽

Limiting Factors ◽

Cultural Attitudes ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Hygiene Compliance

Lack of proper hand hygiene among healthcare workers has been identified as a core facilitator of hospital-acquired infections. Although the concept of hand hygiene quality assurance was introduced to Vietnam relatively recently, it has now become a national focus in an effort to improve the quality of care. Nonetheless, barriers such as resources, lack of education, and cultural norms may be limiting factors for this concept to be properly practiced. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers toward hand hygiene and to identify barriers to compliance, as per the World Health Organization’s guidelines, through surveys at a large medical center in Vietnam. In addition, we aimed to evaluate the compliance rate across different hospital departments and the roles of healthcare workers through direct observation. Results showed that, in general, healthcare workers had good knowledge of hand hygiene guidelines, but not all believed in receiving reminders from patients. The barriers to compliance were identified as: limited resources, patient overcrowding, shortage of staff, allergic reactions to hand sanitizers, and lack of awareness. The overall compliance was 31%; physicians had the lowest rate of compliance at 15%, while nurses had the highest rate at 39%; internal medicine had the lowest rate at 16%, while the intensive care unit had the highest rate at 40%. In summary, it appears that addressing cultural attitudes in addition to enforcing repetitive quality assurance and assessment programs are needed to ensure adherence to safe hand washing.

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A Decade in Trying to Increase Hand Hygiene—Finally Success

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.592 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. s93-s94

Author(s):

Linda Huddleston ◽

Sheila Bennett ◽

Christopher Hermann

Keyword(s):

Hand Hygiene ◽

Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽

Compliance Rate ◽

Bloodstream Infections ◽

Central Line ◽

Second Phase ◽

Two Phase ◽

Hygiene Compliance ◽

Tract Infections ◽

The Voice

Background: Over the past 10 years, a rural health system has tried 10 different interventions to reduce hospital-associated infections (HAIs), and only 1 intervention has led to a reduction in HAIs. Reducing HAIs is a goal of nearly all hospitals, and improper hand hygiene is widely accepted as the main cause of HAIs. Even so, improving hand hygiene compliance is a challenge. Methods: Our facility implemented a two-phase longitudinal study to utilize an electronic hand hygiene reminder system to reduce HAIs. In the first phase, we implemented an intervention in 2 high-risk clinical units. The second phase of the study consisted of expanding the system to 3 additional clinical areas that had a lower incidence of HAIs. The hand hygiene baseline was established at 45% for these units prior to the voice reminder being turned on. Results: The system gathered baseline data prior to being turned on, and our average hand hygiene compliance rate was 49%. Once the voice reminder was turned on, hand hygiene improved nearly 35% within 6 months. During the first phase, there was a statistically significant 62% reduction in the average number of HAIs (catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), central-line–acquired bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), and Clostridiodes difficile experienced in the preliminary units, comparing 12 months prior to 12 months after turning on the voice reminder. In the second phase, hand hygiene compliance increased to >65% in the following 6 months. During the second phase, all HAIs fell by a statistically significant 60%. This was determined by comparing the HAI rates 6 months prior to the voice reminder being turned on to 6 months after the voice reminder was turned on. Conclusions: The HAI data from both phases were aggregated, and there was a statistically significant reduction in MDROs by 90%, CAUTIs by 60%, and C. difficile by 64%. This resulted in annual savings >$1 million in direct costs of nonreimbursed HAIs.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

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Hand hygiene and the sequence of patient care

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2021.82 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Nai-Chung Chang ◽

Michael Jones ◽

Heather Schacht Reisinger ◽

Marin L. Schweizer ◽

Elizabeth Chrischilles ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Patient Care ◽

Intensive Care Units ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Surgical Intensive Care ◽

Hygiene Compliance ◽

Hand Hygiene Opportunity

Abstract Objective: To determine whether the order in which healthcare workers perform patient care tasks affects hand hygiene compliance. Design: For this retrospective analysis of data collected during the Strategies to Reduce Transmission of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria in Intensive Care Units (STAR*ICU) study, we linked consecutive tasks healthcare workers performed into care sequences and identified task transitions: 2 consecutive task sequences and the intervening hand hygiene opportunity. We compared hand hygiene compliance rates and used multiple logistic regression to determine the adjusted odds for healthcare workers (HCWs) transitioning in a direction that increased or decreased the risk to patients if healthcare workers did not perform hand hygiene before the task and for HCWs contaminating their hands. Setting: The study was conducted in 17 adult surgical, medical, and medical-surgical intensive care units. Participants: HCWs in the STAR*ICU study units. Results: HCWs moved from cleaner to dirtier tasks during 5,303 transitions (34.7%) and from dirtier to cleaner tasks during 10,000 transitions (65.4%). Physicians (odds ratio [OR]: 1.50; P < .0001) and other HCWs (OR, 2.15; P < .0001) were more likely than nurses to move from dirtier to cleaner tasks. Glove use was associated with moving from dirtier to cleaner tasks (OR, 1.22; P < .0001). Hand hygiene compliance was lower when HCWs transitioned from dirtier to cleaner tasks than when they transitioned in the opposite direction (adjusted OR, 0.93; P < .0001). Conclusions: HCWs did not organize patient care tasks in a manner that decreased risk to patients, and they were less likely to perform hand hygiene when transitioning from dirtier to cleaner tasks than the reverse. These practices could increase the risk of transmission or infection.

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Intranasal Antiseptic and Universal Antiseptic Baths Are Effective in Reducing MRSA Acquisition in Extended-Care Facilities

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.888 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. s304-s305

Author(s):

Angela Chow ◽

Wei Zhang ◽

Joshua Wong ◽

Brenda Ang

Keyword(s):

Hand Hygiene ◽

Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽

Compliance Rate ◽

Care Facility ◽

Clinical Problem ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Extended Care ◽

Care Facilities ◽

The Mean ◽

Hygiene Compliance

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a growing clinical problem in rehabilitation hospitals, where patients stay for extended periods for intensive rehabilitation therapy. In addition to cutaneous sites, the nares could be a source for nosocomial MRSA transmission. Decolonization of nasal and cutaneous reservoirs could reduce MRSA acquisition. We evaluated the effectiveness of topical intranasal octenidine gel, coupled with universal chlorhexidine baths, in reducing MRSA acquisition in an extended-care facility. Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental before-and-after study from January 2013 to June 2019. All patients admitted to a 100-bed rehabilitation hospital specialized in stroke and trauma care in Singapore were screened for MRSA colonization on admission. Patients screened negative for MRSA were subsequently screened at discharge for MRSA acquisition. Screening swabs were obtained from the nares, axillae, and groin and were cultured on selective chromogenic agar. Patients who tested positive for MRSA from clinical samples collected >3 days after admission were also considered to have hospital-acquired MRSA. Universal chlorhexidine baths were implemented throughout the study period. Intranasal application of octenidine gel for MRSA colonizers for use for 5 days from admission was added to the hospital’s protocol beginning in September 2017. An interrupted time series with segmented regression analysis was performed to evaluate the trends in MRSA acquisition before the intervention (January 2013–July 2017) and after the intervention (September 2017–June 2019) with intranasal octenidine. August 2017 was excluded from the analysis because the intervention commenced midmonth. Results: In total, 77 observational months (55 before the intervention and 22 after the intervention) were included. The mean monthly MRSA acquisition rates were 7.0 per 1,000 patient days before the intervention and 4.4 per 1,000 patient days after the intervention (P < .001), with a mean number of patient days of 2,516.3 per month before the intervention and 2,427.2 per month after the intervention (P = .0172). The mean monthly number of MRSA-colonized patients on admission to the hospital decreased from 24.8 before the intervention to 18.7 after the intervention (P < .001). Mean monthly hand hygiene compliance rate increased significantly from 65.7% before the intervention to 87.4% after the intervention (P < .001). After adjusting for the number of MRSA-colonized patients on admission and hand hygiene compliance rates, a constant trend was observed from January 2013 to July 2017 (adjusted mean coefficient, 0.012; 95% CI, −0.037 to 0.06), with an immediate drop in September 2017 (adjusted mean coefficient, −2.145; 95% CI, −0.248 to −0.002; P = .033), followed by a significant reduction in MRSA acquisition after the intervention from September 2017 through June 2019 (adjusted mean coefficient, −0.125; 95% CI, -4.109 to -0.181; P = .047). Conclusions: Topical intranasal octenidine, coupled with universal chlorhexidine baths, can reduce MRSA acquisition in extended-care facilities. Further studies should be conducted to validate the findings in other healthcare settings.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

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

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.1130 ◽

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

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Hand hygiene compliance in the intensive care unit of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital.

10.21203/rs.2.17130/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Dikeledi Carol Sebola ◽

Charlie Boucher ◽

Caroline Maslo ◽

Daniel Nenene Qekwana

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Patient Contact ◽

Academic Hospital ◽

Hand Wash ◽

Hygiene Compliance

Abstract Hand hygiene compliance remains the cornerstone of infection prevention and control (IPC) in healthcare facilities. However, there is a paucity of information on the level of IPC in veterinary health care facilities in South Africa. Therefore, this study evaluated hand hygiene compliance of healthcare workers and visitors in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH). Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers (HCWs) and visitors in the ICU using the infection control assessment tool (ICAT) as stipulated by the South African National Department of Health. Direct observations using the “five hand hygiene moments” criteria as set out by the World helath Organisation were also recorded. The level of compliance and a 95% confidence interval were calculated for all variables. Results: Individual bottles of alcohol-based hand-rub solution and hand-wash basins with running water, soap dispensers, and paper towels were easily accessible and available at all times in the ICU. In total, 296 observations consisting of 734 hand hygiene opportunities were recorded. Hand hygiene compliance was also evaluated during invasive (51.4%) and non-invasive (48.6%) procedures. The overall hand hygiene compliance was 24.3% (178/734). In between patients, most HCWs did not sanitize stethoscopes, leashes, and cellular phones used. Additionally, the majority of HCWs wore jewellery below the elbows. The most common method of hand hygiene was hand-rub (58.4%), followed by hand-wash (41.6%). Nurses had a higher (44%) level of compliance compared to students (22%) and clinicians (15%). Compliance was also higher after body fluid exposure (42%) compared to after patient contact (32%), before patient contact (19%), after contact with patient surroundings (16%), and before an aseptic procedure (15%). Conclusion: Hand hygiene compliance in this study was low, raising concerns of potential transmission of hospital-acquired infections and zoonoses in the ICU. Therefore, it is essential that educational programs be developed to address the low level of hand hygiene in this study.

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Hand hygiene compliance monitoring in anaesthetics: Feasibility and validity

Journal of Infection Prevention ◽

10.1177/1757177418755306 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 116-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A Jeanes ◽

J Dick ◽

P Coen ◽

N Drey ◽

DJ Gould

Keyword(s):

Hand Hygiene ◽

Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Compliance Rate ◽

Significant Risk ◽

World Health ◽

Compliance Monitoring ◽

Infection Control Practitioner ◽

Hygiene Compliance ◽

Health Organization

Background: Hand hygiene compliance scores in the anaesthetic department of an acute NHS hospital were persistently low. Aims: To determine the feasibility and validity of regular accurate measurement of HHC in anaesthetics and understand the context of care delivery, barriers and opportunities to improve compliance. Methods: The hand hygiene compliance of one anaesthetist was observed and noted by a senior infection control practitioner (ICP). This was compared to the World Health Organization five moments of hand hygiene and the organisation hand hygiene tool. Findings: In one sequence of 55 min, there were approximately 58 hand hygiene opportunities. The hand hygiene compliance rate was 16%. The frequency and speed of actions in certain periods of care delivery made compliance measurement difficult and potentially unreliable. During several activities, taking time to apply alcohol gel or wash hands would have put the patients at significant risk. Discussion: We concluded that hand hygiene compliance monitoring by direct observation was invalid and unreliable in this specialty. It is important that hand hygiene compliance is optimal in anaesthetics particularly before patient contact. Interventions which reduce environmental and patient contamination, such as cleaning the patient and environment, could ensure anaesthetists encounter fewer micro-organisms in this specialty.

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