Journal of Infectious Diseases and Treatment Open Access

Keywords: Hand hygiene compliance, Health care Professional, Healthcare associated infections

Introduction

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are responsible for high morbidity, disability and reduced quality of life and also mortality and rising costs for health systems in majority of the cases1. Preventing the HAI risk by planning and implementing effective preventive strategies is important to safeguard patient health

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This annual study was designed to evaluate the compliance of procedures and protocols for infection control, to assess the adhesion to the different aspects of hand hygiene (HH) and hand washing technique by healthcare workers in ICUs( MICU,ICU,SICU &PICU). A prospective observational study was conducted in ICUs. In each ICU, the adherence by health care workers to both HH practices and standard precautions was assessed, as well as the presence of procedures and written protocols. The methods used for analyzing HH were direct observation, conducting surveys, patient centered surveillance and observing through CCTV camera.

Results

Hand hygiene Techniques :-Back to fingers to opposing palm with fingers interlocked on the fingertips, keeping the hand higher than the elbow level all the time and total time taken for the hand washing (surgical) 3-5 minutes were marked as lowest compliance rate (less than 80%).Remaining techniques were marked more than 80% compliance rate.

Among the five moments of Hand hygiene:-Before patient contact and After contact with patient’s surroundings were shown the lowest compliance rate (below 50%).Before aseptic task and after body fluid exposure risks compliance level were more than 90%.

Average compliance rate of hand hygiene by different group of HCWs were Doctors (46%), nurses (62%), technicians (64%), General duty assistant (59%).

Discussion & Conclusion

Oral propranolol this annual study helped us in taking measures to improve hand hygiene compliance rate in different groups of HCW.

The measures that will improve hand hygiene compliance rate are as given below.

• Frequent training and updated knowledge sharing regularly would definitely improve the quality of hand hygiene.
• Audit and feedback of different groups of HCW and critical areas (ICUs).
• Awarding and encouraging the best ward for hand hygiene compliance rate
• Visual reminders in appropriate place of ward.
• Multidisciplinary teams to be employed for monitoring hand hygiene compliance.
• Frequent Spot training to HCW.

Although education, training, leadership, and behavioral incentives are important potential components of such programs, the Joint commission, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further advice healthcare institutions to implement monitoring systems to enforce HH practices and provide feedback to HCW 2,. Electronic devices can successfully observe HH compliance among HCWs and facilitate better adherence to guidelines.

References

1. Allegranzi B, Sax H, Bengaly L, Richet H, Minta DK, Chraiti MN et al. (2010) Successful implementation of the World Health Organization hand hygiene improvement strategy in a referral hospital in Mali, Africa. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol;31:133
2. Pittet D, Allegranzi B, Storr J, Bagheri Nejad S, Dziekan G, Leotsakos (2008) A. Infection control as a major World Health Organization priority for developing countries. J Hosp Infect; 68:285
3. Suchitra JB, Lakshmi Devi N (2007) Impact of education on knowledge, attitudes and practices among various categories of healthcare workers on nosocomial infections. Indian J Med Microbiol
4. Mathai E, Allegranzi B, Kipatrick C, Pittet D (2010) Prevention and control of healthcare associated infections through improved hand hygiene. Indian J Med Microbiol; 28:100