Access to hand hygiene in eastern Ontario.

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene compliance improves when alcohol-based hand products (ABHP) are provided at the point-of-care (POC). However, it is not known how many facilities have the infrastructure available to provide easy access to ABHP currently. OBJECTIVES: To describe the extent to which facilities in the Champlain Infection Control Network (CICN) provide POC access to ABHP. METHODS: A survey was conducted of all healthcare facilities in the CICN in October 2007. Sites were asked to complete a one-page questionnaire regarding number and location of ABHP dispensers on one ward in their facilities. The primary outcome measures included: the proportion of facilities providing any POC access to ABHP and the proportion of ABHP dispensers that were at POC, hallways and other areas. RESULTS: A total of 18 of 59 (31%) long-term care facilities (LTCF) and 14 of 18 (78%) acute-care facilities (ACF) participated in the survey. Intensive care units (ICUs) were present in seven (50%) of the ACF. POC access to ABHP was provided in 44% of LTCF, 50% of ACF and 71% of ICUs surveyed. In LTCF 20% of ABHP dispensers were at the POC compared to 23% in ACF and 42% in ICUs. CONCLUSIONS: Although ABHP is available in these settings, most dispensers are not provided at the POC. Hospitals and LTCF need to increase the number of ABHP dispensers available, with a particular emphasis on placing them at the POC in accordance with provincial guidelines.