Korean J healthc assoc Infect Control Prev.  2024 Jun;29(1):40-47. 10.14192/kjicp.2024.29.1.40.

Korean National Healthcare-associated Infections Surveillance System for Hand Hygiene Report: Data Summary from July 2019 to December 2022

• Kim SR
• Cha KS
• Kweon OM
• Kim MN
• Kim OS
• Kim JH
• Park S
• Shin MJ
• You ES
• Lee SE
• Jung SJ
• Jeoung J
• Choi IS
• Choi JR
• Choi JY
• Han SH
• Hong HK

• KMID: 2556879
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14192/kjicp.2024.29.1.40

Abstract

Background
Hand hygiene is considered the simplest and most cost-effective method of infection prevention. Regular observation and feedback on hand hygiene compliance are key strategies for its enhancement. This study evaluated the effectiveness of hand hygiene surveillance, including direct observation and feedback, by comprehensively analyzing the reported hand hygiene compliance within the Korean National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance System from 2019 to 2022.
Methods
Participating medical institutions included general hospitals and hospitals with infection control departments that consented to participate. Hand hygiene surveillance was conducted using direct observation. Collected data, including healthcare workers, clinical areas, hand hygiene moments, and hand hygiene compliance, were recorded to calculate hand hygiene compliance rates. Additionally, the volume of alcohol-based hand sanitizers used per patient per day was investigated as an indirect indicator of hand hygiene compliance. The study was conducted from July 2019 to December 2022.
Results
Hand hygiene compliance increased from 87.2% in Q3 2019 to 89.9% in 2022. Nurses and medical technologists showed the highest compliance rates, whereas doctors showed the lowest compliance rates. Intensive care units excelled in compliance, whereas emergency de partments lagged. Compliance was highest after patient contact and lowest when the patient’s surroundings were touched. Larger hospitals consumed more alcohol-based hand sanitizers than smaller hospitals did.
Conclusion
This study confirmed an improvement in hand hygiene compliance through sustained surveillance, indicating its contribution not only to preventing infection transfer within healthcare facilities but also to fostering a culture of hand hygiene in the country.

Keyword

Hand hygiene; Healthcare facility; Infection; Infection control; Surveillance

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Hand hygiene compliance rates, by number of hospital beds, 2019-2022. Abbreviations: Q3, Jul-Sep; Q4, Oct-Dec; Q1, Jan-Mar; Q2, Apr-Jun; HH, Hand Hygiene.

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  Fig. 2 Hand hygiene compliance rates by World Health Organization hand hygiene ‘moments’, 2019-2022. Abbreviations: Q3, Jul-Sep; Q4, Oct-Dec; Q1, Jan-Mar; Q2, Apr-Jun; HH, Hand Hygiene.

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  Fig. 3 Use of alcohol-based hand rub, by No. of hospital beds, 2019-2022. Q3, Jul-Sep; Q4, Oct-Dec; Q1, Jan-Mar; Q2, Apr-Jun; HH, Hand Hygiene.

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