A Ambrosch1, K Wahrburg2, F Klawonn3. 1. Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene, Barmherzige Brüder Hospital, Regensburg, Germany. Electronic address: Andreas.ambrosch@barmherzige-regensburg.de. 2. Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene, Barmherzige Brüder Hospital, Regensburg, Germany. 3. Biostatistics, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since hand hygiene might prevent the risk of bacterial transmission from healthcare personnel attire (HCPA), the present study investigates the effect of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) use on bacterial load and pathogenic species on HCPA. METHODS: HCPA from doctors and nurses was investigated for bacterial contamination post duty. Samples from distinct areas of HCPA were obtained and analysed for bacterial load and species. A standardized questionnaire was performed regarding time of duty and profession, and ABHR from each ward was calculated according to a national standard. FINDINGS: Bacterial load on HCPA (700 samples from 200 HCPA) was found to be up to four-fold higher when wearing for more than one shift. Moreover, doctors had a lower bacterial load on attire compared to nurses. In a multivariate linear regression model, negative correlations with bacterial load on HCPA were found for ABHR (t = -2.080, P = 0.0379) and being a doctor (t = -6.009, P < 0.0001), and a positive correlation for the time of duty (t = 10.572; P < 0.0001). Detection of Staphylococcus aureus as the most prominent pathogen found on HCPA was influenced by the time of duty (odds ratio: 3.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.93-5.72; P < 0.0001) but not by ABHR (1.22; 0.30-3.42). CONCLUSION: ABHR, profession, and time of duty significantly affect the bacterial load on HCPA. Since the time of duty has the strongest impact on bacterial load, a daily change of HCPA is recommended.
BACKGROUND: Since hand hygiene might prevent the risk of bacterial transmission from healthcare personnel attire (HCPA), the present study investigates the effect of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) use on bacterial load and pathogenic species on HCPA. METHODS: HCPA from doctors and nurses was investigated for bacterial contamination post duty. Samples from distinct areas of HCPA were obtained and analysed for bacterial load and species. A standardized questionnaire was performed regarding time of duty and profession, and ABHR from each ward was calculated according to a national standard. FINDINGS: Bacterial load on HCPA (700 samples from 200 HCPA) was found to be up to four-fold higher when wearing for more than one shift. Moreover, doctors had a lower bacterial load on attire compared to nurses. In a multivariate linear regression model, negative correlations with bacterial load on HCPA were found for ABHR (t = -2.080, P = 0.0379) and being a doctor (t = -6.009, P < 0.0001), and a positive correlation for the time of duty (t = 10.572; P < 0.0001). Detection of Staphylococcus aureus as the most prominent pathogen found on HCPA was influenced by the time of duty (odds ratio: 3.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.93-5.72; P < 0.0001) but not by ABHR (1.22; 0.30-3.42). CONCLUSION: ABHR, profession, and time of duty significantly affect the bacterial load on HCPA. Since the time of duty has the strongest impact on bacterial load, a daily change of HCPA is recommended.
Authors: Dinah Gould; Edward Purssell; Annette Jeanes; Nicolas Drey; Jane Chudleigh; Jacob McKnight Journal: BMJ Qual Saf Date: 2021-07-14 Impact factor: 7.035