Measuring hand hygiene compliance rates in different special care settings: a comparative study of methodologies

Thyago Pereira Magnus; Alexandre R Marra; Thiago Zinsly Sampaio Camargo; Elivane da Silva Victor; Lidiane Soares Sodré da Costa; Vanessa Jonas Cardoso; Oscar Fernando Pavão Dos Santos; Michael B Edmond

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2015.02.016

Back

Measuring hand hygiene compliance rates in different special care settings: a comparative study of methodologies

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Measuring hand hygiene compliance rates in different special care settings: a comparative study of methodologies

Thyago Pereira Magnus, Alexandre R Marra, Thiago Zinsly Sampaio Camargo, Elivane da Silva Victor, Lidiane Soares Sodré da Costa, Vanessa Jonas Cardoso, Oscar Fernando Pavão Dos Santos and Michael B Edmond

International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol.33(C), pp.205-208

04/2015

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.02.016

PMID: 25722282

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2015.02.016View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare methods for assessing compliance with hand hygiene in an intensive care unit (ICU), a step-down unit (SDU), and a hematology–oncology unit. Over a 20-week period, we compared hand hygiene compliance measurements by three different methods: direct observation, electronic handwash counter for alcohol gel, and measuring the volume of product used (alcohol gel) in an ICU, an SDU, and a hematology–oncology unit of a tertiary care, private hospital. By direct observation we evaluated 1078 opportunities in the ICU, 1075 in the SDU, and 517 in the hematology–oncology unit, with compliance rates of 70.7%, 75.4%, and 73.3%, respectively. A total of 342 299, 235 914, and 248 698 hand hygiene episodes were recorded by the electronic devices in the ICU, SDU, and hematology–oncology unit, respectively. There were also 127.2ml, 85.3ml, and 67.6ml of alcohol gel used per patient-day in these units. We could find no correlation between the three methods. Hand hygiene compliance was reasonably high in these units, as measured by direct observation. However, a lack of correlation with results obtained by other methodologies brings into question the validity of direct observation results, and suggests that periodic audits using other methods may be needed.

Handwash

Hematology–oncology unit

Alcohol-based hand-rub

Electronic handwash counter

Intensive care unit

Step-down unit

Details

Title: Subtitle: Measuring hand hygiene compliance rates in different special care settings: a comparative study of methodologies
Creators: Thyago Pereira Magnus - Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
Alexandre R Marra - Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701, 1st floor, Room 108, Bloco A1, Morumbi, Sao Paulo 05651-901, Brazil
Thiago Zinsly Sampaio Camargo - Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
Elivane da Silva Victor - Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701, 1st floor, Room 108, Bloco A1, Morumbi, Sao Paulo 05651-901, Brazil
Lidiane Soares Sodré da Costa - Onco-Hematology Unit, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
Vanessa Jonas Cardoso - Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
Oscar Fernando Pavão Dos Santos - Division of Medical Practice, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
Michael B Edmond - Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol.33(C), pp.205-208
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.02.016
PMID: 25722282
NLM abbreviation: Int J Infect Dis
ISSN: 1201-9712
eISSN: 1878-3511
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Language: English
Date published: 04/2015
Academic Unit: Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9983905519002771

Metrics

16 Record Views

30 Times Cited - Web of Science