Marian Pokrywka1, Michele Buraczewski2, Debra Frank3, Heather Dixon4, Juliet Ferrelli5, Kathleen Shutt6, Mohamed Yassin7. 1. Infection Control, UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: pokrywkamf@upmc.edu. 2. Nursing Education, UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. 3. Nursing, UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. 4. Quality Improvement, UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. 5. Infection Control, UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. 6. Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. 7. Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Infection Control, UPMC Mercy Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene plays an important role in the prevention of Clostridium difficile (CD) infection (CDI). Patient hand hygiene (PHH) may be a potentially underused preventative measure for CDI. Patient mobility and acuity along with a lack of education present obstacles to PHH for the hospitalized patient. Surveys of patients at our institution showed a need for increased PHH opportunities. The objective of this study was to increase PHH and to examine if PHH affected CDI at our hospital. METHODS: A biphasic, quasi-experimental study was performed to increase PHH through education for staff and to provide education, assistance, and opportunities to the patient for hand cleaning. PHH practice was assessed by patient surveys and analyzed by χ2 test. PHH effect on CDI was determined by following health care facility-onset CD laboratory-identified events data analyzed by National Healthcare Safety Network standardized infection ratios (SIRs). RESULTS: PHH opportunities improved significantly (P < .0001) after staff and patient education. CD SIRs deceased significantly for 6 months (P ≤ .05) after the PHH intervention. CONCLUSIONS: PHH opportunities can be increased by providing education and opportunities for patients to clean their hands. PHH should be considered a relevant preventative measure for CDI in hospitalized patients.
BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene plays an important role in the prevention of Clostridium difficile (CD) infection (CDI). Patient hand hygiene (PHH) may be a potentially underused preventative measure for CDI. Patient mobility and acuity along with a lack of education present obstacles to PHH for the hospitalized patient. Surveys of patients at our institution showed a need for increased PHH opportunities. The objective of this study was to increase PHH and to examine if PHH affected CDI at our hospital. METHODS: A biphasic, quasi-experimental study was performed to increase PHH through education for staff and to provide education, assistance, and opportunities to the patient for hand cleaning. PHH practice was assessed by patient surveys and analyzed by χ2 test. PHH effect on CDI was determined by following health care facility-onset CD laboratory-identified events data analyzed by National Healthcare Safety Network standardized infection ratios (SIRs). RESULTS: PHH opportunities improved significantly (P < .0001) after staff and patient education. CD SIRs deceased significantly for 6 months (P ≤ .05) after the PHH intervention. CONCLUSIONS: PHH opportunities can be increased by providing education and opportunities for patients to clean their hands. PHH should be considered a relevant preventative measure for CDI in hospitalized patients.
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