[Influence of a multiple intervention program for hand hygiene compliance in an ICU]

Abstract

Objective: To assess compliance with hand hygiene (HH) in ICU workers before (P1) and after (P2) implementation of a HH promotion program and distribution of an alcoholic solution for HH, and to analyze factors independently associated to HH before and after patients care.

Design: Fifty hours of observational evaluation were carried out during each period of the study (P1 and P2); the number of opportunities for HH (before and after patients care) was registered. Educational program (6 months): poster campaign, educational meetings with staff about HH, and the provision of alcohol hand rubs.

Setting: ICU in a secondary level hospital.

Participants: Healthcare workers in the ICU.

Interventions: A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate compliance with HH before and after implementation of the educational program.

Variables: Dependent variable: HH compliance before-after patients care; independent variables that might be associated to compliance (including the educational program).

Results: In P1 there were 338 opportunities for HH both before and after patients care, versus 355 in P2 (before and after patients care). The hand-washing rate was significantly higher in P2 than in P1 (prior to patient care: 45.3% and 34.9%, respectively, and after patient care: 63% and 51.7%, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, the educational program, together with other variables, was significantly associated to HH before and after patients care.

Conclusion: There was a significant increase in compliance with hand hygiene among the ICU personnel during the educational phase, both before and after patients care.