Interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance in patient care

Abstract

Background Health care-associated infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Hand hygiene is regarded as an e ective preventive measure. This is an update of a previously published review. Objectives To assess the short-and long-term success of strategies to improve compliance to recommendations for hand hygiene, and to determine whether an increase in hand hygiene compliance can reduce rates of health care-associated infection.

Applying psychological frameworks of behaviour change to improve healthcare worker hand hygiene: a systematic review

“…2 However, achieving significant and sustained improvement has been challenging. 3 Hand hygiene is increasingly recognized as a complex behaviour with numerous motivators and barriers. 2 Researchers have begun to focus on applying behavioural psychology to bring about improvement.…”

Psychosocial determinants of self-reported hand hygiene behaviour: a survey comparing physicians and nurses in intensive care units

“…12 No intervention studies with explicit reference to psychological theories had been published until April 2011, 13 and recent trials have been limited to nurses 14,15 or are still underway. 16,17 Exploratory studies have tended to consider hand hygiene behaviour (HHB) as reasoned actions directly influenced by behavioural intentions.…”

Hesitation and error: Does product placement in an emergency department influence hand hygiene performance?

“…[4][5][6][7] Improvement of health care workers' hand hygiene practices is therefore a challenge, and multiple studies have indicated that hand hygiene compliance can only be improved and sustained through the use of an approach that takes into account the multifaceted nature of behavior change. [8][9][10] Efforts to improve hand hygiene compliance include continuous education and motivation programs [9][10][11][12] and measurement and feedback of hand hygiene compliance rate to users. 2,9,10,12 One important factor known to influence hand hygiene performance is the availability, utility, and accessibility of hand hygiene products.…”

“…[8][9][10] Efforts to improve hand hygiene compliance include continuous education and motivation programs [9][10][11][12] and measurement and feedback of hand hygiene compliance rate to users. 2,9,10,12 One important factor known to influence hand hygiene performance is the availability, utility, and accessibility of hand hygiene products. 2 Evidence and best practice indicates that in some instances of hand hygiene practice, the location and accessibility of hand hygiene products directly influence hand hygiene behavior.…”

“…2 Evidence and best practice indicates that in some instances of hand hygiene practice, the location and accessibility of hand hygiene products directly influence hand hygiene behavior. [9][10][11][12][13] This is most notable with the accessibility of alcohol-based hand hygiene products. Put simply, the closer the alcohol-based handrub to the point of indication of use, such as the end of the patient bed or on the wall in each clinical care area, directly influences practice.…”