Korean J Nosocomial Infect Control.  2012 Dec;17(2):53-60.

A Three-Year Study of the Effectiveness of Hand-Hygiene Protocol Implementation at a University Hospital

• Kweon OM
• Park E
• Lee D
• Lee JH
• Ha EJ
• Yong D
• Choi JY
• Kim KH
• Lee C
• Lee K

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Compliance with hand hygiene protocols is one of the simplest ways to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Hand hygiene is influenced by individual habits and beliefs, as well as by local organizational culture practices. This study was performed in order to increase the rate of compliance to hand hygiene through changes in the organizational culture.
METHODS
From 2009 through 2011, this study was performed in a 2,000-bed tertiary-care university hospital with more than 6,000 employees. The program was implemented mainly by team activities, and the leadership and hand hygiene steering committee members supported them. Goals for planning, intervention, and evaluation of the compliance rate for hand hygiene were made annually in the hospital.
RESULTS
The rate of compliance to hand hygiene increased significantly each year (43.8% in 2008, 75.3% in 2009, 80.7% in 2010, and 83.2% in 2011). The detection rate of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and the incidence of healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia decreased.
CONCLUSION
The rate of compliance to hand hygiene was remarkably improved, and it continuously increased through systematic and continuous changes in the organizational culture. In addition, the detection rate of VRE and incidence of S. aureus bacteremia decreased. These results show that hand hygiene is an important factor for preventing HAIs.

Keyword

Hand hygiene; Hand hygiene improvement program; Hand hygiene culture

MeSH Terms

Bacteremia
Committee Membership
Compliance
Enterococcus
Hand Hygiene
Incidence
Organizational Culture
Staphylococcus aureus