Loveday, Heather ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2259-8149, Tingle, A and Wilson, Jennie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4713-9662 (2020) Using a multi-modal strategy to improve patient hand hygiene. American Journal of Infection Control. ISSN 0196-6553

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Abstract

Objective
The role of healthcare worker hand hygiene in preventing healthcare associated infections (HCAI) is well established. There is less emphasis on the hand hygiene of hospitalised patients; in the context of COVID-19 mechanisms to support it are particularly important. The purpose of this study was to establish if providing patient hand wipes, and a defined protocol for encouraging their use, was effective in improving the frequency of patient hand hygiene (PHH).
Design
Before and after study
Setting
General Hospital, United Kingdom.
Participants
All adult patients admitted to six acute elderly care/rehabilitation hospital wards between July and October 2018.
Methods
Baseline audit of PHH opportunities conducted over 6 weeks. Focus group with staff and survey of the public informed the development of a PHH bundle. Effect of bundle on PHH monitored by structured observation of HH opportunities over 12 weeks.
Results
During baseline 303 opportunities for PHH were observed; compliance with PHH was 13.2% (40/303; 95%CI 9.9-7.5). In the evaluation of PHH bundle 526 PHH opportunities were observed with HH occurring in 58.9% (310/526); an increase of 45.7% vs. baseline (95%CI 39.7–51.0%; p<0.001).
Conclusion
Providing patients with multi-wipe packs of handwipes is a simple, cost-effective approach to increasing patient hand hygiene and reducing the risk of HCAI in hospital. Healthcare workers play an essential role in encouraging PHH.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1016/j.ajic.2020.12.011
Keywords:	Patient hand hygiene, care bundle, handwipes, compliance, before and after study, feedback
Subjects:	Medicine and health > Health promotion and public health Medicine and health > Health promotion and public health > Infection prevention
Related URLs:	Publisher
Depositing User:	Jennie Wilson
Date Deposited:	04 Jan 2021 14:39
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2024 11:19
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/7594

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