BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) result in significant morbidity and mortality. Hand hygiene remains a cornerstone intervention for preventing HAIs. Unfortunately, adherence to hand hygiene guidelines among healthcare personnel is poor. OBJECTIVE: To assess short- and long-term effects of an infection prevention promotion program on healthcare personnel hand hygiene behaviors. DESIGN: Time series design. SETTING: Our study was conducted at a tertiary care academic center. PARTICIPANTS: Hospital healthcare personnel. METHODS: We developed a multimodal program that included a multimedia communications campaign, education, leadership engagement, environment modification, team performance measurement, and feedback. Healthcare personnel hand hygiene practices were measured via direct observations over a 3-year period by "undercover" observers. RESULTS: Overall hand hygiene compliance increased by 2-fold after full program implementation (P < .001), and this increase was sustained over a 20-month follow-up period (P < .001). The odds for compliance with hand hygiene increased by 3.8-fold in the 6 months after full program implementation (95% confidence interval, 3.53-4.23; P < .001), and this increase was sustained. There was even a modest increase at 20 months of follow up. Hand hygiene compliance increased among all disciplines and hospital units. Hand hygiene compliance increased from 35% in the first 6 months after program initiation to 77% in the last 6 months of the study period among nursing providers (P < .001), from 38% to 62% among medical providers (P < .001), and from 27% to 75% among environmental services staff (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the infection prevention promotion program was associated with a significant and sustained increase in hand hygiene practices among healthcare personnel of various disciplines.
BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) result in significant morbidity and mortality. Hand hygiene remains a cornerstone intervention for preventing HAIs. Unfortunately, adherence to hand hygiene guidelines among healthcare personnel is poor. OBJECTIVE: To assess short- and long-term effects of an infection prevention promotion program on healthcare personnel hand hygiene behaviors. DESIGN: Time series design. SETTING: Our study was conducted at a tertiary care academic center. PARTICIPANTS: Hospital healthcare personnel. METHODS: We developed a multimodal program that included a multimedia communications campaign, education, leadership engagement, environment modification, team performance measurement, and feedback. Healthcare personnel hand hygiene practices were measured via direct observations over a 3-year period by "undercover" observers. RESULTS: Overall hand hygiene compliance increased by 2-fold after full program implementation (P < .001), and this increase was sustained over a 20-month follow-up period (P < .001). The odds for compliance with hand hygiene increased by 3.8-fold in the 6 months after full program implementation (95% confidence interval, 3.53-4.23; P < .001), and this increase was sustained. There was even a modest increase at 20 months of follow up. Hand hygiene compliance increased among all disciplines and hospital units. Hand hygiene compliance increased from 35% in the first 6 months after program initiation to 77% in the last 6 months of the study period among nursing providers (P < .001), from 38% to 62% among medical providers (P < .001), and from 27% to 75% among environmental services staff (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the infection prevention promotion program was associated with a significant and sustained increase in hand hygiene practices among healthcare personnel of various disciplines.
Authors: Jackson S Musuuza; Anna Barker; Caitlyn Ngam; Lia Vellardita; Nasia Safdar Journal: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Date: 2016-02-10 Impact factor: 3.254
Authors: Gabriel Mestre; Cristina Berbel; Purificación Tortajada; Margarita Alarcia; Roser Coca; Gema Gallemi; Irene Garcia; Mari Mar Fernández; Mari Carmen Aguilar; José Antonio Martínez; Jesús Rodríguez-Baño Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-10-22 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Helena Ngowi; Ivan Ozbolt; Athanase Millogo; Veronique Dermauw; Télesphore Somé; Paul Spicer; Lori L Jervis; Rasmané Ganaba; Sarah Gabriel; Pierre Dorny; Hélène Carabin Journal: Infect Dis Poverty Date: 2017-06-01 Impact factor: 4.520