Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-2pzkn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-01T12:13:24.866Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Increasing ICU Staff Handwashing: Effects of Education and Group Feedback

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Patricia M. Dubbert ,
Jeffrey Dolce ,
William Richter ,
Mary Miller  and
Stanley W. Chapman
Patricia M. Dubbert
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs and University of Mississippi Medical Centers, Jackson, Mississippi
Jeffrey Dolce
Affiliation:
Department of General and Preventive Medicine, the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama
William Richter
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs and University of Mississippi Medical Centers, Jackson, Mississippi
Mary Miller
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs and University of Mississippi Medical Centers, Jackson, Mississippi
Stanley W. Chapman
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs and University of Mississippi Medical Centers, Jackson, Mississippi
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This study provides an evaluation of the effectiveness of methods to increase hand-washing (HW) by nurses working in an intensive care unit. After baseline observations, two interventions were implemented in sequence: three series of classes conducted by the infection control nurse (ICN); and feedback to staff about handwashing errors on the previous day. Staff were aware that handwashing was being observed throughout the study. The educational intervention produced an immediate increase in HW that was followed by a decline to baseline rates over four weeks. Feedback produced an improvement to 97% compliance that was sustained until completion of the study. Improvement in HW compliance following specified critical procedures was also observed following interventions.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 11 , Issue 4 , April 1990 , pp. 191 - 193
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Larson, E. A causal link between handwashing and risk of infection? Examination of the evidence. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1988;9:28–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2. Mayer, JA, Dubbert, PM, Miller, M, Burkett, PA, Chapman, SW. Increasing handwashing in an intensive care unit. Infect Control. 1986;7:259–262.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Albert, RK, Condie, F. Handwashing patterns in medical intensive care units. N Engl J Med. 1981;304:1465–1466.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Larsen, E. Quantity of soap as a variable in handwashing. Am J Infect Control. 1987;8:371–375.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5. Larson, E. Effects of handwashing agent, handwashing frequency, and clinical area on hand flora. Am J Infect Control. 1984;12:76–82.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. Ojajarvi, J, Makela, P, Rantasalo, I. Failure of hand disinfection with frequent handwashing: a need for prolonged field studies. J Hyg. 1977;79:107–119.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed