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Compliance with Hand Hygiene and Glove Use in a University-Affiliated Hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Nevin Kuzu ,
Fadime Özer ,
Semra Aydemir ,
Ata Nevzat Yalcin  and
Mehmet Zencir
Nevin Kuzu*
Affiliation:
Pamukkale University, School of Health, Nursing Department, Denizli, Turkey
Fadime Özer
Affiliation:
Pamukkale University, School of Health, Nursing Department, Denizli, Turkey
Semra Aydemir
Affiliation:
Pamukkale University, Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases, Denizli, Turkey
Ata Nevzat Yalcin
Affiliation:
Akdeniz University, Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases, Antalya, Turkey
Mehmet Zencir
Affiliation:
Pamukkale University, Medical Faculty, Public Health Department, Denizli, Turkey
*
Akkonak mah. 1795 sok. No: 17, Denizli, Turkey[email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

The hands of healthcare workers often transmit pathogens causing nosocomial infections. This study examined compliance with handwashing and glove use.

Setting:

A university-affiliated hospital.

Design:

Compliance was observed covertly. Healthcare workers' demographics, hand hygiene facilities, indications for hand hygiene, compliance with handwashing and glove use in each procedure, and duration of handwashing were recorded.

Results:

Nine nurses and 33 assistant physicians were monitored during the study. One researcher recorded 1,400 potential opportunities for handwashing during 15-minute observation periods. The mean duration of handwashing was 10 + 2 seconds. Most healthcare workers (99.3%) used liquid soap during handwashing, but 79.8% did not dry their hands. For all indications, compliance with handwashing was 31.9% and compliance with glove use was 58.8%. Compliance with handwashing varied inversely with both the number of indications for hand hygiene and the number of patient beds in the hospital room. Compliance with handwashing was better in dirty high-risk situations.

Conclusion:

Compliance with handwashing was low, suggesting the need for new motivational strategies such as supplying feedback regarding compliance rates.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 26 , Issue 3 , March 2005 , pp. 312 - 315
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2005

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