The development of hand hygiene compliance imperatives in an emergency department

Jeanes, Annette, Coen, Pietro G., Drey, Nicolas S. and Gould, Dinah J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1506-9532 2018. The development of hand hygiene compliance imperatives in an emergency department. American Journal of Infection Control 46 (4) , pp. 441-447. 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.10.014

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Abstract

Background Monitoring results showing poor hand hygiene compliance in a major, busy emergency department prompted a quality improvement initiative to improve hand hygiene compliance. Purpose To identify, remove, and reduce barriers to hand hygiene compliance in an emergency department. Methods A barrier identification tool was used to identify key barriers and opportunities associated with hand hygiene compliance. Hand hygiene imperatives were developed and agreed on with clinicians, and a framework for monitoring and improving hand hygiene compliance was developed. Results Barriers to compliance were ambiguity about when to clean hands, the pace and urgency of work in some areas of the department, which left little time for hand hygiene and environmental and operational issues. Sore hands were a problem for some staff. Expectations of compliance were agreed on with staff, and changes were made to remove barriers. A monitoring tool was designed to monitor progress. Gradual improvement occurred in all areas, except in emergency situations, which require further improvement work. Conclusions The context of care and barriers to compliance should be reflected in hand hygiene expectations and monitoring. In the emergency department, the requirement to deliver urgent live-saving care can supersede conventional hand hygiene expectations.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier: 12 months
ISSN:	0196-6553
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	22 December 2017
Date of Acceptance:	25 October 2017
Last Modified:	30 Nov 2024 18:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/107775

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