Abstract
Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is the most effective way to curb the spread of healthcare associated infections. Nonetheless, healthcare personnel encounter difficulties in adhering to WHO HH recommendations. This study aimed to investigate the HH compliance and adherence after implementation of an action plan in a municipal hospital in Moscow.
Methods: An initial evaluation of HH compliance among clinical health workers was carried out in June 2022 according to WHO HH guidelines followed by a 3-month re-audit of HH practices. The results were compared to the baseline to evaluate compliance and adherence to HH among healthcare personnel.
Results: From June to September 2022, there were 2732 moments of contact with patients or their immediate surroundings. The HH total compliance rate significantly (p<0.05) increased from 52.3% in June 2022 to 83.3% in September 2022 with 75% overall total compliance rate. The profession-specific total compliance rate was highest among nurses (79.6%) and lowest among ancillary staff (69.7%). Staff were also more adherent to the before-moments
as compared to the after-moments of the HH guidelines.
Conclusions: Monthly re-audits and providing feedback resulted in a significant
improvement in compliance and adherence with HH guidelines after implementation of the action plan.
Methods: An initial evaluation of HH compliance among clinical health workers was carried out in June 2022 according to WHO HH guidelines followed by a 3-month re-audit of HH practices. The results were compared to the baseline to evaluate compliance and adherence to HH among healthcare personnel.
Results: From June to September 2022, there were 2732 moments of contact with patients or their immediate surroundings. The HH total compliance rate significantly (p<0.05) increased from 52.3% in June 2022 to 83.3% in September 2022 with 75% overall total compliance rate. The profession-specific total compliance rate was highest among nurses (79.6%) and lowest among ancillary staff (69.7%). Staff were also more adherent to the before-moments
as compared to the after-moments of the HH guidelines.
Conclusions: Monthly re-audits and providing feedback resulted in a significant
improvement in compliance and adherence with HH guidelines after implementation of the action plan.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Water and Health |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 20 Mar 2024 |
Bibliographical note
FundingThe authors did not receive any specific funding for the study.
Acknowledgement
We would like to thank all the study participants at the Cardiac surgery department who took part in the study. We would also like to thank the administration of the Hospital and the Audit Unit for giving us the permission to carry out this study.
Keywords
- Healthcare personnel
- Hand hygiene
- infection control
- WHO guidelines
- surgical staff
