Perspect Nurs Sci.  2015 Apr;12(1):7-13. 10.16952/pns.2015.12.1.7.

The Hawthorne Effect on the Adherence to Hand Hygiene

• Song JY
• Jeong IS

• KMID: 2315706
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.16952/pns.2015.12.1.7

Abstract

PURPOSE
This observational study was aimed to determine the influence of the Hawthorne effect on the adherence to hand hygiene (HH) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in South Korea.
METHODS
HCWs were monitored in 2 periods regarding adherence to HH when there were indications for HH. In first period, HCWs recognized that their behavior of hand hygiene being observed (overt observation), and did not recognize in second period (covert observation).
RESULTS
The overall difference in HH rate between two periods was 45.0% point (77.8% vs 32.8%). There were significant differences between profession but in nurse aids. The differences in HH rate between two periods were 46.1% point in nurses, 29.9% point in physicians, 64.0% in radiologists, 62.5% point in laboratory technicians, 36.4% point in physio-therapist, and 1.0% point in nurse aids. The Hawthorne effect on the adherence to HH lasted more than 3 months.
CONCLUSION
The Hawthorne effect markedly influence on the adherence to HH regardless of profession except nurse aids. Therefore, Hawthorne effect can be useful tool to improve and sustain the adherence to HH among HCWs in South Korea.

Keyword

Hand hygiene; Adherence; Hawthorne effect

MeSH Terms

Delivery of Health Care
Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic*
Hand Hygiene*
Humans
Korea
Laboratory Personnel
Observational Study

Figure

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  Figure 1. Change of adherence to hand hygiene by time elapse.

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