Hand hygiene compliance among caregivers of inpatients with multidrug-resistant organism infection in China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Caregivers are an important provider of daily living care for multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) inpatients in China, they are at risk for contracting and spreading MDRO from frequent interactions with patients. Improving the hand hygiene (HH) compliance of caregivers has important significance in reducing the incidence of infection. However, we have little information about HH compliance among caregivers of MDRO inpatients in most medical institutions. Therefore, we decide to examine HH compliance among caregivers of MDRO inpatients in China. Methods Using direct observations, we investigated HH compliance among caregivers of MDRO inpatients between March and August 2019 in a large university-affiliated hospital in China. Using the WHO’s Hand Hygiene Observation Tool, we surveyed a total of 440 HH opportunities. Results Out of the total participants, 16.2% were elderly. Overall HH compliance was 46.8%. The most frequent moment for HH was “after a touching patient” (69.2%) and the lowest compliance was “before clean/aseptic procedures” (25.6%). Compliance during “visiting” was highest (66.7%), with hands being less frequently washed during “resting” (29.0%). Conclusions Overall compliance with HH when caring for MDRO inpatients is less than optimal. Elderly caregivers should be valued by society and the public. These results may be used to identify issues and interventions to address HH practices and achieve a reduction in MDRO infections.