Improving hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in intensive care unit: an interventional study

Authors

  • Naglaa M. Abdo Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt; Department of Infection Control, Farwaniya Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuwait
  • Mariam Al-Fadhli Infection Control Directorate, Ministry of Health, Kuwait

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20183558

Keywords:

Hand hygiene, Compliance, Multi-interventional approach, Alcohol- based hand rub, Intensive care unit

Abstract

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is one of the most important measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the augmented multi-interventional approaches on HH compliance rate among intensive care unit (ICU) healthcare workers (HCWs) of Farwaniya Hospital, Kuwait.

Methods: An interventional study was conducted in four phases throughout eight months among adult ICU HCWs. First; HCWs, HH compliance rates and alcohol-based hand rub consumption rate (ABHR) were assessed secondly; an augmented multi-interventional approach was implemented, which included administrative support, observation and reporting, education & training, recruiting champions, and maintenance of HH supplies & reminders. Then a washout phase. Finally, re-assessment of HH compliance rates and ABHR.

Results: Following the interventions, the overall HCWs’ HH compliance rate increased significantly from 58.81% to 73.17% (p=0.000), for doctors (39.82% vs. 64.93%) and nurses (68.24% vs. 80.18%), p>0.001. Significant improvement of HH compliance rates for most of HH moments, after moments were higher than before moments, p=0.000. ABHR increased significantly from 77.45 ml to 133.33 ml per patient day (95% CI=54.37-57.39, p<0.0001).

Conclusions: The applied augmented multi-interventional approach was effective in improving HH compliance rates among ICU HCWs. Sustainability is warranted by continues implementation of this approach.

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Published

2018-08-24

How to Cite

Abdo, N. M., & Al-Fadhli, M. (2018). Improving hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in intensive care unit: an interventional study. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 5(9), 3747–3752. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20183558

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Original Research Articles