JHPIEGO TrainerNews™ |
Infection Prevention Update: Improved
Hand Hygiene Compliance
(March 2001)
From 1994-1997, hand hygiene was successfully monitored and promoted at the University of Geneva Hospitals when an infection control team implemented a hospital-wide program emphasizing bedside alcohol-based hand disinfectant. A sustained improvement in compliance was associated with a marked reduction in nosocomial infection and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cross transmission rates.
As part of the hand hygiene promotion strategy, posters that emphasized the importance of hand cleansing, particularly hand disinfection, and performance feedback were displayed in strategic areas within the institution.
Compliance improved progressively from 48% in 1994 to 66% in 1997. Hand washing with soap and water remained stable but the frequency of hand disinfection increased substantially and appears to have resulted in a reduction in overall nosocomial infection prevalence as well as MRSA transmission rates.
The promotion of bedside antiseptic handrubs largely contributed to the increase in hand hygiene. Factors that contributed to the success of the promotion campaign included: reminders in the work environment, active participation and feedback at both individual and organizational levels, and involvement of institutional leaders. Special care was taken to involve the healthcare workers directly in the promotional campaign to ensure that these workers identified strongly with the institution's goals. For instance, the most visible components (i.e., the posters prepared by an artist during interactive sessions with personnel) carried the name of the ward that had proposed the message.
This study represents the first reported experience of a sustained improvement in hand hygiene compliance. The University of Geneva has developed a website with resources for hand hygiene education (http://www.hopisafe.ch).
Source: Pittet D et al. 2000. Effectiveness of a hospital-wide programme to improve compliance with hand hygiene. The Lancet 356(9238): 1307-1312.
For more information on infection prevention programs at JHPIEGO, contact Linda Tietjen.