Anat Gesser-Edelsburg1, Ricky Cohen2, Mina Zemach3, Adva Mir Halavi2. 1. School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel; Health and Risk Communication Research Center, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel. Electronic address: ageser@univ.haifa.ac.il. 2. School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel. 3. Midgam Consulting & Research Ltd., Bnei Brak, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite World Health Organization recommendations that patients should play a role in encouraging hand hygiene (HH) as a means of preventing infection, patient engagement remains an underused method. From the perspectives of hospitalized patients (HPs) and health care workers (HCWs) at 2 major public hospitals in Haifa, Israel, this research investigated (1) HP barriers to reminding HCWs to maintain HH, (2) HCW barriers to giving HPs instruction on proper hygiene, (3) what could help HPs and HCWs overcome these barriers, and (4) how video clips can be used to devise tailored strategies governing discourse on HH between HCWs and HPs. METHODS: Intervention type 2 design and examination of 2 population groups-HPs and HCWs-before and after intervention by means of mixed methods research. RESULTS: Both HPs and HCWs reported partial knowledge, embarrassment, and fears regarding commenting to staff, as well as a lack of cultural adaptation. The interviewees indicated that the video clips granted legitimacy to reminding HCWs about hygiene through strategies designed to identify and solve barriers, authenticity, and cultural adaptation. CONCLUSIONS: To overcome HP and HCW barriers to maintaining HH, tailored video clips on HH should specify barriers and solutions with which they can both identify, thus turning discourse on HH into an accepted norm.
BACKGROUND: Despite World Health Organization recommendations that patients should play a role in encouraging hand hygiene (HH) as a means of preventing infection, patient engagement remains an underused method. From the perspectives of hospitalized patients (HPs) and health care workers (HCWs) at 2 major public hospitals in Haifa, Israel, this research investigated (1) HP barriers to reminding HCWs to maintain HH, (2) HCW barriers to giving HPs instruction on proper hygiene, (3) what could help HPs and HCWs overcome these barriers, and (4) how video clips can be used to devise tailored strategies governing discourse on HH between HCWs and HPs. METHODS: Intervention type 2 design and examination of 2 population groups-HPs and HCWs-before and after intervention by means of mixed methods research. RESULTS: Both HPs and HCWs reported partial knowledge, embarrassment, and fears regarding commenting to staff, as well as a lack of cultural adaptation. The interviewees indicated that the video clips granted legitimacy to reminding HCWs about hygiene through strategies designed to identify and solve barriers, authenticity, and cultural adaptation. CONCLUSIONS: To overcome HP and HCW barriers to maintaining HH, tailored video clips on HH should specify barriers and solutions with which they can both identify, thus turning discourse on HH into an accepted norm.
Keywords:
Barriers; Behavioral practices; Health care–associated infections; Hygienic hospital environment; Intervention type 2; Mixed methods; use of video clips
Authors: Jawad Ahmed; Farheen Malik; Zahid Ali Memon; Taha Bin Arif; Aiman Ali; Sundus Nasim; Junaid Ahmad; Muhammad A Khan Journal: Cureus Date: 2020-02-18