Healthcare workers' attitudes to how hand hygiene performance is currently monitored and assessed

K-R Cawthorne; R P D Cooke

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2020.05.039

Healthcare workers' attitudes to how hand hygiene performance is currently monitored and assessed

J Hosp Infect. 2020 Aug;105(4):705-709. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.05.039. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Authors

K-R Cawthorne¹, R P D Cooke²

Affiliations

¹ Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UK; Departments of Medical Microbiology and Innovation, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.

PMID: 32535197
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.05.039

Abstract

Engagement of healthcare workers (HCWs) is critical to maintaining high levels of hand hygiene (HH). However, attitudes of HCWs to how compliance is monitored has been poorly described. This study explored the HCW perspective on direct observation (DO) as a gold standard for HH monitoring. It also sought their opinions on innovative technology. A survey was emailed to all staff in two NHS trusts: 1120 responses were analysed. Nursing staff and doctors accounted for the largest quantity of responses; 58% of HCWs did not strongly endorse DO assessment of HH compliance. Staff were open to considering alternative innovative technologies.

Keywords: Direct observation; Hand hygiene; Healthcare workers; New innovative technologies.

MeSH terms

Attitude of Health Personnel*
Cross Infection / prevention & control
Guideline Adherence
Hand Hygiene / standards*
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Health Personnel / classification
Health Personnel / psychology*
Hospitals
Humans
Infection Control / methods
Infection Control / standards*
Personnel, Hospital / psychology*
Surveys and Questionnaires