Publication:

Improving hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in intensive care unit: an interventional study

Background Hand hygiene (HH) is one of the most important measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the augmented multi-interventional approaches on HH compliance rate among intensive care unit (ICU) healthcare workers (HCWs) of Farwaniya Hospital, Kuwait.

Methods An interventional study was conducted in four phases throughout eight months among adult ICU HCWs. First; HCWs, HH compliance rates and alcohol-based hand rub consumption rate (ABHR) were assessed secondly; an augmented multi-interventional approach was implemented, which included administrative support, observation and reporting, education & training, recruiting champions, and maintenance of HH supplies & reminders. Then a washout phase. Finally, re-assessment of HH compliance rates and ABHR.

Results Following the interventions, the overall HCWs’ HH compliance rate increased significantly from 58.81% to 73.17% (p=0.000), for doctors (39.82% vs. 64.93%) and nurses (68.24% vs. 80.18%), p>0.001. Significant improvement of HH compliance rates for most of HH moments, after moments were higher than before moments, p=0.000. ABHR increased significantly from 77.45 ml to 133.33 ml per patient day (95% CI=54.37-57.39, p<0.0001).

Conclusions The applied augmented multi-interventional approach was effective in improving HH compliance rates among ICU HCWs. Sustainability is warranted by continues implementation of this approach.