Aims And Objectives: The rates of healthcare-associated infections are high around the world. Hand hygiene is considered the most effective measure to reduce the transmission of pathogens in the hospital environment. Our objective was to evaluate adherence to hand hygiene in critical units of a tertiary-level hospital in Central-West Brazil.
Design: Observational study employing cross-sectional data. Reporting rigour was demonstrated using the STROBE checklist.
Methods: Observation of hand hygiene practices of 129 professionals from the health team, including nursing staff, physicians and physical therapists. Data collection was carried out using the World Health Organization form.
Results: A total of 3,025 hand hygiene opportunities were observed, and the overall rate of adherence was only 46.25%. There was a greater frequency of hand hygiene after risk of exposure to bodily fluids and after contact with patients, 60.80% and 53.45%, respectively. Nurses obtained a higher rate of adherence to hand hygiene (59.80%). The neonatal ICU had a higher rate of adherence to hand hygiene when compared to other sectors.
Conclusions: The physical structure for hand hygiene in the institution was poor, and no professionals reached the minimum time required for execution of hand hygiene techniques. There were low rates of adherence to hand hygiene by professionals at all five times and in all categories and sectors observed, which may have been influenced by poor infrastructure present in the institution.
Relevance To Clinical Practice: This study is of great relevance to patient safety, given the rates of healthcare-associated infections worldwide, with emphasis on underdeveloped countries. It is hoped that the results of this research can guide organisations to validly and systematically evaluate adherence to hand hygiene and achieve higher rates of adherence to hand hygiene and consequently reduce the number of infections in health environments.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15293 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Candida auris is an emerging, multidrug-resistant fungus that poses a threat in health care settings because of its persistence on surfaces and ability to cause severe infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. First identified in Japan in 2009, C auris has since spread globally, leading to numerous outbreaks. Its unique virulence factors, such as biofilm formation and immune evasion, contribute to its resilience and resistance to eradication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssessment of hand hygiene practices among nurses at a regional hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan: A cross-sectional study based on the World Health Organization (WHO) 'Your 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene' guidelines.
Belitung Nurs J
January 2025
Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Kandahar University, Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Background: Hand hygiene is a critical component of infection prevention and control (IPC) in healthcare settings, as emphasized by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, compliance with recommended hand hygiene practices remains suboptimal in many resource-limited settings, including Afghanistan. Despite its importance, limited research has been conducted on hand hygiene practices in Afghan healthcare facilities, highlighting the need for further investigation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKnowledge and attitude of nosocomial infection prevention and control precautions among healthcare personnel at Kiruddu Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.
BMC Health Serv Res
January 2025
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda.
Background: A key concern for global public health is nosocomial infections. Essential to the fight against nosocomial infection, is healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes. Therefore, this study investigated healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes toward nosocomial infection at the Kiruddu Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUltraviolet-C-based sanitization is a cost-effective option for hospitals to manage health care-associated infection risks from high touch mobile phones.
Front Health Serv
January 2025
Harry Butler Research Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.
Mobile phones have become essential tools for health care workers around the world, but as high touch surfaces, they can harbor microorganisms that pose infection risks to patients and staff. As their use in hospitals increases, hospital managers must introduce measures to sanitize mobile phones and reduce risks of health care-associated infections. But such measures can involve substantial costs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF[Treatment with TOPS for short femoral stump].
Oper Orthop Traumatol
January 2025
Klinik für Unfall‑, Hand und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Rostock, Schillingallee 35, 18057, Rostock, Deutschland.
Objective: Treatment with transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthesis systems (TOPS) for short femoral amputation stumps aims to restore independent walking ability after proximal femoral amputation by direct bone-guided prosthesis anchorage. This cannot be safely achieved with conventional socket prostheses due to the mechanically inadequate socket contact surface.
Indications: Treatment of patients with short transfemoral stumps who cannot be mobilized sufficiently with conventional socket prostheses.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!