scholarly journals Alcohol-containing Hand Rubs: A Survey on Beliefs and Self-reported Practices of Muslim Nurses

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Shiraly ◽  
Mehrdad Askarian ◽  
Yves Longtin ◽  
Seyed Sadeq Seyed Nematian
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hospital Nurses ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Tertiary Referral ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Although alcohol-containing liquid cleansers have been increasingly used by healthcare workers, their application is still suboptimal. This study was carried out to assess the beliefs and practices of Muslim nurses with respect to alcohol-based hand rub solutions (ABHRs). A total of 374 hospital nurses from a large tertiary referral medical centre in Southern Iran were recruited. Beliefs and self-reported practices toward ABHRs were measured using a structured questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were shown to be satisfactory (Cronbach’s alpha value: 0.77 for beliefs and 0.86 for practices.) Overall, 16% of Muslim nurses believed that the use of ABHRs is religiously prohibited; approximately the same proportion of respondents believed that there may be concerns related to the fact that the alcoholic content of these hand rubs might be absorbed through the skin or respiratory tract. Overall, more than half of participants reported use of ABHRs before (60%) and after (75%) touching patients. Religious believers were less likely to report performing hand hygiene with ABHRs before patient contact. However, the total mean practice scores were not statistically different between religious believers and non-believers (t (372)=-0.88, P=0.413). Mean practice scores of nurses who had participated in hand hygiene training courses during the year before the study were higher than those who had not (t (372)=3.41, P< 0.001). The results of the present study showed that the practice of hand hygiene with alcohol-containing hand rubs is common among Iranian Muslim nurses and is not influenced by their religious beliefs toward alcohol.

scholarly journals Has the COVID 19 Virus Changed Adherence to Hand Washing among Healthcare Workers?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Rosalia Ragusa ◽  
Marina Marranzano ◽  
Alessandro Lombardo ◽  
Rosalba Quattrocchi ◽  
Maria Alessandra Bellia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Who Guidelines ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Hospital Wards

The aim of the study was to assess adherence to hand washing by healthcare workers (HCWs) and its variations over time in hospital wards. We wanted to check whether the pandemic had changed the behavior of HCWs. The study was conducted between 1 January 2015, and 31 December 2020. The HCWs were observed to assess their compliance with the Five Moments for Hand Hygiene. We described the percentage of adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines stratified per year, per specialty areas, per different types of HCWs. We also observed the use of gloves. Descriptive data were reported as frequencies and percentages. We observed 13,494 hand hygiene opportunities. The majority of observations concerned nurses who were confirmed as the category most frequently involved with patients. Hospital’s global adherence to WHO guidelines did not change in the last six years. During the pandemic, the rate of adherence to the procedure increased significantly only in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In 2020, the use of gloves increased in pre-patient contact. The hand-washing permanent monitoring confirmed that it is very difficult to obtain the respect of correct hand hygiene in all opportunities, despite the ongoing pandemic and the fear of contagion.

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

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.

Self-Protection as a Driver for Hand Hygiene Among Healthcare Workers

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 578-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Borg ◽  
Mohamed Benbachir ◽  
Barry D. Cookson ◽  
Saida Ben Redjeb ◽  
Ziad Elnasser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Self Protection ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

A total of 2,725 healthcare workers in 8 Mediterranean countries replied to a self-assessment questionnaire that assessed their perceptions on hand hygiene. Responses revealed that rates of hand hygiene compliance before patient contact were significantly less than rates after patient contact (P < .001) and that use of soap and water was preferred over use of alcohol-based hand rub. These findings suggest that self-protection could be a major subliminal driver for performance of hand hygiene.

scholarly journals Four multifaceted countrywide campaigns to promote hand hygiene in Belgian hospitals between 2005 and 2011: impact on compliance to hand hygiene

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Costers ◽  
N Viseur ◽  
B Catry ◽  
A Simon
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Performance Feedback ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Exposure Risk ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
The Third ◽  
Hygiene Compliance

Four consecutive one-month campaigns were organised to promote hand hygiene in Belgian hospitals between 2005 and 2011. The campaigns included a combination of reminders in wards, educational sessions for healthcare workers, promotion of alcohol-based hand rub use, increasing patient awareness, and audits with performance feedback. Prior and after each one month intervention period, the infection control teams measured hand hygiene compliance of healthcare workers by direct observation using a standardised observation roster. A total of 738,367 opportunities for hand hygiene were observed over the four campaigns. Compliance with hand hygiene significantly increased from 49.6% before to 68.6% after the intervention period for the first, from 53.2% to 69.5% for the second, from 58.0% to 69.1% for the third, and from 62.3% to 72.9% for the fourth campaign. The highest compliance rates were consistently observed in paediatric units. Compliance rates were always markedly lower among physicians than nurses. After patient contact and body fluid exposure risk, compliance rates were noticeably higher than before patient contact and performing aseptic procedures. We conclude that repeated countrywide campaigns to promote hand hygiene result in positive long-term outcomes. However, lower compliance rates among physicians compared with nurses, before patient contact, and before performing aseptic procedures remain challenges for future campaigns.

scholarly journals NICU Healthcare Workers Hand Hygiene Compliance during 6 Months of Direct Observation

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Inna Fairuuza Firdaus ◽  
Dwiyanti Puspitasari ◽  
Marijam Purwanta
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Direct Observation ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infection ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Introduction: Hospitalized neonates are at risk of developing nosocomial sepsis, a systemic infection due to unhygienic healthcare, especially in Indonesia where healthcare-associated infection incidence rate is 5.9%-8.3%. Hand hygiene by healthcare workers is an effective measure to prevent it. This study aimed to understand the healthcare workers’ hand hygiene compliance towards WHO guidelines 2009 in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital NICU. Methods: This research was an observational study. The healthcare workers’ hand hygiene compliance was obtained through 6 months of direct observation, from November 2018 to April 2019, with doctors and nurses who agreed to be observed and present during the observation period as samples. The observation was recorded with WHO observation form, and processed with Microsoft Excel 2013 to obtain compliance rate. Results: Overall, the compliance of healthcare worker in NICU Dr. Soetomo General Hospital during the 6 months of study was 84%. Nurses’ compliance was higher (87%) than doctors’ (78%). Compliance to My 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene indications varied from 82% for moments before patient contact to 93% for moments after patient contact. Conclusion: In conclusion, hand hygiene compliance of healthcare workers in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital NICU varied between profession categories and each indication. To maintain and improve hand hygiene compliance, intervention in healthcare workers’ behavior is needed, so that healthcare-associated infection can be better prevented.

Hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers in a newborn unit of a tertiary referral hospital in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-138
Author(s):  
Serah K Ngugi ◽  
Florence V Murila ◽  
Rachel N Musoke
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Compliance Rate ◽  
Referral Hospital ◽  
World Health ◽  
Tertiary Referral ◽  
Improvement Strategy ◽  
Tertiary Referral Hospital ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Hospitalised Patients

Background: Health care-associated infection (HCAI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalised patients, particularly neonates. Compliance with hand hygiene (HH) recommendations is the simplest and most effective measure in preventing this infection. Objectives: To determine the HH practices among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the newborn unit of a tertiary referral hospital in Kenya, their knowledge and perceptions regarding HCAI and importance of HH, and barriers to the recommended HH practices. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the HCWs’ compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) ‘5 Moments for Hand Hygiene’ and a structured self-administered questionnaire adopted from the WHO knowledge and perception of HCW questionnaires was used to answer the secondary objectives. Results: The overall HH compliance rate was 15%. HCWs were twice more likely to take a HH action ‘after’ than ‘before’ a patient care procedure (odds ratio [OR] = 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–4.19; P = 0.03). Nurses and nursing students had statistically significant lower compliance (OR 0.41; 95% CI = 0.18-0.91; p=0.016) and (OR 0.21; 95% CI = 0.06-0.70; p = 0.004) respectively, compared to the doctors. More than half (52%) of the HCWs were unaware of the five moments/indication for HH. Lack of supplies, forgetfulness and use of gloves were the commonly cited barriers to HH compliance. Discussion: HH compliance rate among HCWs in the newborn unit of the tertiary referral hospital was very low. The observed and reported barriers to optimal HH compliance demonstrate a necessity for the adoption of the WHO recommended multimodal HH improvement strategy in this unit.

scholarly journals Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus among healthcare workers in relation to patient contact

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-I Shih ◽  
Fan-Ching Shen ◽  
Yun-Ju Lee ◽  
Hsiang-Chin Hsu ◽  
Chiu-Hui Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Nasal Carriage ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Hospital Nurses ◽  
Nasal Colonization ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Term Care

Abstract Background : Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major public health concern worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are an important source of transmission of MRSA. We conducted a prospective study to define the frequency of S. aureus nasal colonization and emphasize on the carriage of MRSA in HCWs in relation to the intensity of patient contact. Methods: To evaluate the prevalence of S. aureus carriage and the relevance of transmission from community to the hospital, MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) nasal colonization in selected HCWs was compared. These included an emergency department, intensive care unit, out-of-hospital care emergency medical technicians and students, and a long-term care facility (LTCF). The MRSA isolates were further identified by their microbiological and molecular characteristics. Results: S. aureus was isolated from 63 of 248 HCWs (25.4%). The overall MRSA nasal carriage rate was 15/248, 6%. Most MRSA carriers were female (14/15, 93.3%), and HCWs who had worked for ≥5 years (11/15, 73.3%). LTCFs had the highest prevalence (3/25, 12%). In contrast, the overall carriage of MSSA was 48/248, 19.4%, and most carriers worked for ≥5 years (25/48, 52.1%). Hospital nurses had the highest rate of MSSA carriage (22/103, 21.4%). Most of the MRSA isolates were SCC mec IV/ST59 or ST45 (60%), and were resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin (53%). Only one MRSA was chlorhexidine resistant. All produced low level of biofilms. Conclusions: This study demonstrates hospital nurses have highest S. aureus nasal carriage, whereas HCWs worked in the LTCFs have the highest prevalence of nasal MRSA colonization. The differences in the characteristics of MRSA and MSSA nasal carriage among HCWs highlights the importance on inclusion of all strains of S. aureus in surveillance and infection control programs.

scholarly journals 1838. Bare Below the Elbows vs. Sleeved Attire: A Pilot Study Comparing Microbial Flora of Healthcare Workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S45-S46
Author(s):  
Mariam Assi ◽  
Yvette Major ◽  
Olivia Hess ◽  
Emily Styslinger ◽  
Tara Srivastava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Numerical Data ◽  
Latex Agglutination ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Skin Flora ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Staphylococcus Spp

Abstract Background Bare Below the Elbows (BBE) is an approach to healthcare worker (HCW) attire that limits patient contact with contaminated HCW clothing. While supported by biological plausibility, the practice is controversial. Critics cite limited evidence that bare skin is less contaminated in comparison to sleeved garments such as white coats. This study is a comparison of the flora and bioburden between BBE and sleeved HCW. Methods HCW on 2 progressive care units were asked to allow swab sampling of their dominant wrist/forearm (Figure 1). Non-clinicians were excluded. Hand hygiene was not performed prior to sampling. HCW agreeing to participate completed informed consent, and a survey regarding bathing and laundering. Swabs were inoculated into TSA broths, and incubated for 24 hours at 37°C. Bioburden was estimated using McFarland standard optical densities by 2 independent blinded evaluators. The broth was streaked on blood agar and MacConkey plates. Colonies consistent with possible Staphylococcus spp. were tested with latex agglutination, and positive isolates were plated on CHROMagar™ MSSA/MRSA. Fisher’s exact/Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare the categorical/numerical data between BBE and sleeved providers using SAS version 9.4. Results Sixty-three HCW participated; 30 were BBE and 33 sleeved. A comparison of the 2 groups is shown in Table 1. The majority of bacterial growth was morphologically consistent with skin flora; no Gram-negative rods grew. The bioburden estimates and presence of Staphylococcus aureus were not different between the groups (P = 0.099 and 0.325, respectively). Surveys indicated that BBE providers were more likely to be working in freshly laundered garments (P < 0.0001); this was true for all BBE providers except 2 HCW on shift >24 hours. Three sleeved individuals could not remember when they last laundered the garment in which they were providing clinical care. Conclusion HCW laundering practices remain suboptimal, particularly among sleeved HCW. The potential impact of hand hygiene on comparative bioburden between sleeved and BBE HCWs remains unknown and is the focus of future investigations. Disclosures All Authors: No reported Disclosures.

Effect of Education on Hand Hygiene Beliefs and Practices A 5-Year Program

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary F. Wisniewski ◽  
Seijeoung Kim ◽  
William E. Trick ◽  
Sharon F. Welbel ◽  
Robert A. Weinstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Education Session ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Interactive Education ◽  
Control Intervention ◽  
Session Attendance ◽  
Control Knowledge

To evaluate infection control and hand hygiene understanding at 3 public hospitals, we surveyed 4,345 healthcare workers (HCWs) 3 times during a 5-year infection control intervention. The preference for the use of alcohol hand rub for hand hygiene increased dramatically; in nurses, it increased from 14% to 34%; in physicians, 4.3% to 51%; and in allied HCWs, 12% to 44%. Study year, infection control interactive education-session attendance, infection control knowledge, and being a physician or allied HCW independently predicted a preference for alcohol hand rub.

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