Hand hygiene in hospital environments: use of conformity indicators

Abstract

An exploratory descriptive study with a quantitative approach whose objective was to use indicators to evaluate the frequency and infrastructure for hand hygiene, as well as the nursing team's knowledge about the subject. Systematized observation was carried out at hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil of the routine activities of 33 participating professionals (nurses and technicians) as well as the application of an individual questionnaire about the subject. 1206 opportunities for hand hygiene were identified, though it was effected in only 481 (39.9%) of them. Alcohol solution was not used at any opportunity. The infrastructure indicatorfor hand hygiene was close to the ideal value (83.30%). The professionals reported a high frequency of hand hygiene, demonstrating knowledge in relation to its importance, yet contradicting the findings of the observation. It was concluded that, despite the adequate infrastructure, hand hygiene was below that expected, requiring actions and strategies to overcomes these barrier and increase the use of alcohol solution.

Factors influencing adherence to standard precautions among nursing professionals in psychiatric hospitals

“…Studies have shown that a low level of conformity to HH (2,4,12) by health professionals supports the spread of micro-organisms and makes it difficult to control infections. Therefore, to investigate the physical facilities of health services and the individual factors of the professionals, it is necessary to understand the non-compliance of this practice (13) .…”

Adesão Da Equipe De Enfermagem Na Higienização Das Mãos Em Unidade De Terapia Intensiva Neonatal E Pediátrica

“…The similarity of this reality can be highlighted in Brazilian studies and in international studies as well, for example; in the US, three pediatric Long-Term Care (pLTC) stated that adherence was low in moment 2 (16%) and higher after body fluid exposure -(61%) (17) . In addition, a research conducted in a hospital in São Paulo, found that only after body fluid exposure risk -moment 3 -professionals presented adherence above the defined compliance rate (65.6%) (18) . These results draw attention because once in direct patient care and contact with body fluids, professionals demonstrate conscience of the necessity to HH when there are visible and perceptible dirt on the hands.…”

Knowledge about precautions in Primary Health Care: tool validation

“…This study points out that some professionals do not agree or disregard the recommendations of preventive measures besides not recognizing the moment in which they must carry out them (10) . In another study, the authors found that the professionals studied, when questioned, reported adherence to HH but in the systematic observation of the practice, this was not confirmed (11) . These studies (9)(10)(11) were mostly performed in the hospital setting.…”