Evolution and associated factors of hand hygiene compliance in a pediatric tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND: The objective is to know the evolution of the Degree of Compliance with Recommendations (DCR) on hand hygiene (HH) and its associated factors in the pediatric care areas (PCAs) of a tertiary hospital. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study, repeated over time, with direct observation of the DCR on HH during the daily activity of health care workers. Over 13 years, 9226 HH opportunities were observed. Associations between DCR, PCA and other variables (eg, age, sex, and professional position) were examined using χ² and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: DCR on HH in 9 PCAs was 64.3% (95% CI, 63.3-65.3), and in the group of non-pediatric areas it was 49.6% (95% CI, 49.1-50.1). The areas with the highest degree of compliance were Oncology 72.8% (95% CI, 69.2-76.4), Neonatology 73.2% (95% CI, 71.3-75.1), and Neonatal intensive care unit 70.0% (95% CI, 67.5-72.6). These were the areas with the strongest association with HH compliance, with aOR:2.8 (95% CI, 2.2-3.6); aOR, 3.0 (95% CI, 2.6-3.6) aOR:2.6 (95% CI, 2.1-3.1), respectively. Other associated factors were the indications "after an activity," aOR, 1.6 (95% CI, 1.5-1.8) and the availability of pocket-size alcohol-based solution, aOR, 2.1(95% CI, 1.9-2.3). CONCLUSIONS: The DCR on HH in PCAs is higher than in other areas, although there is still margin for improvement. We have identified modifiable factors that have an independent association with HH compliance in PCAs. Focusing on modifiable factors will increase compliance with HH with the ultimate goal of reducing healthcare associated infections.

Resultados de un programa de prevención de exposiciones accidentales a fluidos biológicos en personal sanitario basado en la mejora del grado de cumplimiento de las precauciones estándar / Results of a program of prevention of accidental exposure to biological fluids in healthcare workers based on the improvement of the compliance of Standard Precautions

Objetivo: Evaluar un programa de prevención de exposiciones accidentales a fluidos biológicos basado en la mejora del grado de cumplimiento (GC) de las Precauciones Estándar (PE). Material y métodos: Intervenciones: primera (realización sesiones de actualización y reparto de trípticos informativos), y segunda (reparto de trípticos). Indicadores: Nivel de Conocimientos (NC), medido con un cuestionario de cinco preguntas, se consideró inadecuado cuando se fallaban tres o más preguntas; GC de PE medido en cuatro áreas (Higiene Manos -HM-, utilización de guantes -UG-, utilización adecuada métodos barrera -UAMB- y manejo adecuado objetos cortantes -MAOC-; Incidencia de inoculaciones y de exposiciones de mucosas a fluidos corporales. Resultados. La frecuencia de cuestionarios inadecuados paso del 54,6% al 23,3%(<0.001). La frecuencia HM pasó del 53,5% al 58,2%(<0,01), la UG del 78,7% al 84,6%(0,058), el UAMB del 53,8% al 55.5%(N.S.) y el MAOC del 52,9% al 54,0%(N.S.). La Incidencia inoculaciones paso del 5,53% al 4,98%(N.S.) y las exposiciones de mucosas del 0,95% al 0,81%(N.S.). Conclusiones: El programa ha mejorado los conocimientos del personal sobre PE, y el GC de PE y ha disminuido la incidencia exposiciones accidentales a fluidos biológicos aunque no de manera estadísticamente significativa (AU)

Introduction: The aim is to evaluate a program of prevention of accidental exposure to biological fluids based on the improvement of the compliance to Standard Precautions (SP). Methods: Interventions: first (update sessions and distributing pamphlets), and second (distributing pamphlets). Indicators: Level of knowledge (LK), measured with a 5-item questionnaire, with three or more incorrect answers considered inadequate; Compliance to SP measured in four areas (Hand Hygiene Hands -HH-, utilization of gloves - GU-, suitable utilization methods barrier - SUMB - and suitable managing cutting objects - SMCO-; Incident of percutaneus injuries and of exposure of mucous to corporal fluids. Results: The frequency of inadequate questionnaires I happen from 54,6 % to 23,3 % (<0.001). The frequency HH happened from 53,5 % to 58,2 % (<0,01), the GU of 78,7 % to 84,6 % (0,058), the SUMB of 53,8 % to 55.5 % (N.S.) and the SMCO of 52,9 % to 54,0 % (N.S.). The Incident percutaneus injuries from 5,53 % to 4,98 % (N.S.) and the exposure of mucous from 0,95 % to 0,81 % (N.S.). Conclusion: The program has improved in the knowledge of the personnel on SP, and has improved SP compliance and the Incident has diminished accidental exhibitions to biological fluids though not in a statistically significant way (AU)

Evaluación de un programa de actualización de las recomendaciones sobre la higiene de manos / Evaluation of a program for updating recommendations about hand hygiene

Introducción. La higiene de manos (HM) es la medida más importante para prevenir las infecciones nosocomiales. El objetivo es evaluar el programa de actualización de las recomendaciones sobre HM implantado. Material y métodos. Intervenciones: marzo-octubre/2005 se realizaron sesiones de actualización sobre cuándo y cómo realizar la HM y mayo/2006 se repartió un tríptico explicativo a todos los trabajadores informando del grado de cumplimiento de las recomendaciones. Indicadores: nivel conocimientos (NC) medido con un cuestionario de cinco preguntas que se pasaba antes y después de las sesiones y se consideró respuesta inadecuada cuando se fallaban tres o más preguntas; el consumo soluciones alcohólicas (CSA) en ml/estancia agrupado en semestres desde 2004-2006; el grado cumplimiento de recomendaciones (GCR) sobre la HM medida por observación directa en dos momentos (diciembre/2005-febrero/2006 y octubre-noviembre/ 2006) y la prevalencia de infecciones nosocomiales (PI) y de pacientes con infección nosocomial (PPI) a partir estudios EPINE 2004-2005-2006. Resultados. La frecuencia de respuestas inadecuadas para evaluar NC pasó de un 57,5% antes a 18,9% después (p<0,001). El CSA para HM pasó de 3 ml/estancia en 2º semestre/2004 a 17 ml/estancia en 2º semestre/2006 (p<0,001). El GCR ha pasado del 31,0% al 55,6% (p<0,001). La PI y PPI han pasado del 11,4% y el 9,6% respectivamente en el 2004 al 9,4% y 8,9% en 2006 (N.S.). Conclusión. El programa está consiguiendo de manera progresiva sus objetivos ya que los tres indicadores de proceso (NC, CSA, GC) han mejorado de manera estadísticamente significativa, y los de resultado (PI y PPI) han mejorado aunque sin significación estadística

Background. Hand Hygiene (HH) is the most important measure in the prevention of nosocomial infections. The objective was to evaluate the program for updating recommendations on HH that had been introduced. Methods. Interventions: between March-October/2005 realisation of updating sessions about when and how to realize HH and May/2006 distribution of an explicative three-part document to all healthcare workers reporting on compliance with the recommendations. Indicators: level of knowledge (LK) measured with a questionnaire of five questions that was given to those attending before and after sessions, responses were considered inadequate when three or more questions were not answered; consumption of alcoholic solutions (CAS) on ml/stay grouped into semesters from 2004-2006; compliance (CO) with recommendations on HH was measured by direct observation at two times (December/2005-February/2006 and October- November/2006); and infections prevalence (IP) and patients with infection (IPP) for EPINE studies 2004-2005-2006. Results. The frequency of inadequate answers for evaluating LK has fallen from 57,5% before to 18,9% afterwards (p <0.001). The CAS for HH has passed from 3 ml/stay in 2nd semester/2004 to 17 ml/stay 2nd semester/2006 (p <0.001). The CO with HH has risen from 31,0% to 55,6% (p <0.001). The IP and IPP have risen respectively from 11,4% and 9,6% in 2004 to 9,4% and 8,9% in 2006 (N.S.). Conclusion. The program is progressively achieving its objectives as the three process indicators (LK, CAS, CO) have improved in a statistically significant way, and the indicators of results (IP and IPP) have improved but without achieving statistical significance

[Evaluation of a program for updating recommendations about hand hygiene]. / Evaluación de un programa de actualización de las recomendaciones sobre la higiene de manos.

BACKGROUND: Hand Hygiene (HH) is the most important measure in the prevention of nosocomial infections. The objective was to evaluate the program for updating recommendations on HH that had been introduced. INTERVENTIONS: between March-October/2005 realisation of updating sessions about when and how to realize HH and May/2006 distribution of an explicative three-part document to all healthcare workers reporting on compliance with the recommendations. Indicators: level of knowledge (LK) measured with a questionnaire of five questions that was given to those attending before and after sessions, responses were considered inadequate when three or more questions were not answered; consumption of alcoholic solutions (CAS) on ml/stay grouped into semesters from 2004-2006; compliance (CO) with recommendations on HH was measured by direct observation at two times (December/2005-February/2006 and October-November/2006); and infections prevalence (IP) and patients with infection (IPP) for EPINE studies 2004-2005-2006. RESULTS: The frequency of inadequate answers for evaluating LK has fallen from 57.5% before to 18.9% afterwards (p <0.001). The CAS for HH has passed from 3 ml/stay in 2nd semester/2004 to 17 ml/stay 2nd semester/2006 (p <0.001). The CO with HH has risen from 31.0% to 55.6% (p <0.001). The IP and IPP have risen respectively from 11.4% and 9.6% in 2004 to 9.4% and 8.9% in 2006 (N.S.). CONCLUSION: The program is progressively achieving its objectives as the three process indicators (LK, CAS, CO) have improved in a statistically significant way, and the indicators of results (IP and IPP) have improved but without achieving statistical significance.