Hand hygiene in medical students: Performance, education and knowledge

Haefner, Helga; Schwanz, Thomas; González, Luis Español; Bank, Corinna; Schulze-Röbbecke, Roland; Weishoff-Houben, Michaela; Lemmen, Sebastian

doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2012.02.009

Cited by 32 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Based on this, we integrated the newest trend of modern technology driving HH education with the intention of improvement. The benefits of employing standard UV-checker boxes in HH education of medical students have been reported [29,30]. In our study, computerized evaluation was involved, relying on the Hand-in-Scan device, a UV-based digital technology that provides immediate feedback to the users regarding the missed spots.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Education of hand rubbing technique to prospective medical staff, employing UV-based digital imaging technology

Lehotsky

Szilágyi

Demeter-Iclănzan

et al. 2016

Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica

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The aim of this study was to objectively assess the hand hygiene performance of medical students. Hand rubbing technique was evaluated by employing innovative UV-light-based imaging technology, identifying patterns and trends in missed areas after applying WHO's six-step protocol. This specially designed hand hygiene education and assessment program targeted 1,344 medical students at two distant sites in Central Europe. Students were introduced to a short video, presenting the basics of hand hygiene, and then received further demonstration from professional trainers, focusing on the correct execution of WHO's six-step technique. To verify the acquired skill, participants rubbed their hands with UV-marked alcohol-based solution. Digital images of the hands were recorded under UV light, followed by computer evaluation and assessment. Immediate objective visual feedback was given to the participants showing missed areas on their hands. The statistical analysis of missed spots was based on retrospective expert-driven manual evaluation. Significant difference in rubbing quality was found between female and male participants [35.3% (CI 95%: 33-38%) versus 29.0% (CI 95%: 27-31%), p < 0.001], dominant and non-dominant hands [43.4% (CI 95%: 39-48%) versus 34.9% (CI 95%: 32-38%), p = 0.002], and various zones of the hands' dorsal side. Based on the participants' feedback and the evaluation of the infection control specialists, it can be stated that the identification of typically missed patterns and the instant visual feedback have a vital role in improving the hand hygiene technique of prospective medical staff. Keywords: hand hygiene assessment, fluorescein trial, medical students training Introduction "Have we forgotten the lesson of Semmelweis?" -stands the question in Lancet [1], referring to the generally weak hand hygiene (HH) performance of physicians in hospitals. Fortunately, the 4% compliance rate reported at a gynecology ward represents an extremely low value [2], but the usually reported rates of 20-50% are still far below expectations [3][4][5]. The main reported reasons for this poor performance include the tight time schedules, forgetfulness, unsatisfactory knowledge on HH guidelines, denying the importance of hands as a source of infection, negative influence of older, more experienced specialists, and skin irritations caused by hand rub solutions [6,7]. Education and training play a vital role in promoting HH [8,9].It is a widely shared concept that the nursing staff shows a better compliance on average than the physicians [3,10]. The unsatisfactory quality of knowledge is clearly supported by the observation that according to physicians' opinion, less HH moments are enough than the amount believed necessary by other healthcare workers [11]. As an interesting analogy, the question of antibiotic resistance is generally believed of high importance by medical students; however, it will be treated superficially during their later work as physicians, similarly to the question of HH [12]. Nurses consider the d...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another UV-box-based study was carried out at Aachen University Hospital (Germany), aimed to compare the quality of hand rubbing before and after HH education. In the case of first-year medical students, the training led to 22% reduction in missed areas, while for third-year students, this ratio was found to be 74% [30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Education of hand rubbing technique to prospective medical staff, employing UV-based digital imaging technology

Lehotsky

Szilágyi

Demeter-Iclănzan

et al. 2016

Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica

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“…As reported previously, it appears that older students with a greater hospital background are more knowledgeable. 6 Previous work in an ICU or infectious disease ward was significantly associated with better scores in univariate analysis. The importance of teaching on the ward has been discussed previously.…”

Section: To the Editormentioning

confidence: 95%

Medical students' knowledge of infection control and prevention: Factors associated with better results and room for improvement

Legeay

Thepot-Seegers

Groh

et al. 2015

American Journal of Infection Control

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“…Thus, hand hygiene (HH) is considered the single most beneficial and cost-effective method to decrease the incidence of HAIs 2,12-14 . However, compliance to HH guidelines by healthcare workers are reportedly poor with an average compliance of 40% 5,9,12,[14][15][16] .…”

Section: …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Introduction:-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Hand Hygiene Knowledge and Practice Among Medical Students in King Abdulaziz University Hospital.

Almadani¹,

Kano²,

Rayyis³

et al. 2017

IJAR

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Background:Hand hygiene (HH) is considered the most beneficial method to reduce the incidence of Hospital-Acquired Infections. However, compliance to HH by healthcare workers are reportedly poor with a compliance rate of 40%. In spite of the reports concerning the knowledge of HH among medical students in many countries, Saudi Arabia has greatly lagged behind in this aspect. Aim: This study aims to evaluate HH knowledge and practice among first and last clinical years; (i.e. fourth and sixth year respectively) at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 261 medical students of fourth and sixth year, at KAUH in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A covert observation was used to assess the practice and a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was used for evaluating the students' knowledge. Both were based on the WHO five moments of HH. A consent was obtained from all participants. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21 and Pearson's Chi-Square was used for association. Results: Medical students included in the study were fourth and sixth year students accounting as 157 (60%), and 104 (40%) respectively. Practice among sixth year students was found to be better than fourth year students (p = 0.004). As for the knowledge between fourth year and sixth year students it was found to be similar and markedly high (p = 0.5), ranging between strongly agree and agree in the questionnaire. Conclusion: Strict protocols are needed for the implementation of HH practice among students.

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Hand hygiene in medical students: Performance, education and knowledge

Cited by 32 publications

References 21 publications

Education of hand rubbing technique to prospective medical staff, employing UV-based digital imaging technology

Education of hand rubbing technique to prospective medical staff, employing UV-based digital imaging technology

Medical students' knowledge of infection control and prevention: Factors associated with better results and room for improvement

Hand Hygiene Knowledge and Practice Among Medical Students in King Abdulaziz University Hospital.

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