Helping Hands: Improving Hand Hygiene in Hospital Nurses
Author Information
Author(s): Huis Anita, Schoonhoven Lisette, Grol Richard, Borm George, Adang Eddy, Hulscher Marlies, van Achterberg Theo
Primary Institution: Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre
Hypothesis
An extended strategy, using additional implementation activities based on social influence and leadership, will be more effective in increasing hand hygiene compliance rates compared to a state-of-the-art strategy.
Conclusion
The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two strategies for promoting hand hygiene among hospital nurses.
Supporting Evidence
- Hand hygiene is crucial for preventing hospital-acquired infections.
- Compliance rates for hand hygiene among healthcare workers are generally below 50%.
- The study will compare two strategies to improve hand hygiene compliance.
Takeaway
This study is trying to find out which way is better to help nurses remember to wash their hands, so they can keep patients safe from germs.
Methodology
A cluster randomised controlled trial with inpatient wards as the unit of randomisation, observing hand hygiene compliance at four time points over a year.
Potential Biases
The Hawthorne effect may influence hand hygiene behavior as participants know they are being observed.
Limitations
The study does not measure nosocomial infections directly and focuses only on nurses, not including physicians or other healthcare workers.
Participant Demographics
Approximately 900 nurses from various inpatient wards in three hospitals.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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