An in-room observation study of hand hygiene and contact precaution compliance for Clostridioides difficile patients

Am J Infect Control. 2019 Oct;47(10):1273-1276. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.03.031. Epub 2019 May 4.

Abstract

Using an innovative, covert, in-room observer method to evaluate infection control practices for patients with Clostridioides difficile infection, we found no difference between physician and nursing hand hygiene compliance and contact precaution usage. There was also no diurnal variation in hand hygiene practices, but decreased contact precaution usage at night. Conversely, hospital-wide data from overt observations collected over the same time period showed significantly higher hand hygiene compliance among nurses than physicians.

Keywords: Clostridioides difficile infection; Covert observations; Diurnal effects; Hand hygiene compliance.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Clostridium
  • Clostridium Infections / prevention & control*
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Guideline Adherence
  • Hand Disinfection / methods
  • Hand Hygiene / methods
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Nurses
  • Patient Compliance
  • Physicians