BEST PRACTICES FOR HAND HYGIENE COMPLIANCE BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN THE INPATIENT SETTING

Abstract

This study discusses the strategies that have proven successful in improving adherence to hand hygiene policies among health care providers working in acute care, inpatient settings. Review of literature suggests that while some efforts to improve hand hygiene compliance have focused on environmental engineering other efforts have focused mostly on broad-based educational and motivational initiatives, such as online educational programs and staff training. Both environmental engineering and educational interventions have resulted in improvements in compliance rates, ranging from 25.4 to 97%. Hospitals and healthcare facilities that already use these strategies should continue to do so while evaluating factors that may lead to further improvements. Hospitals and facilities that do not already have these strategies in place should adopt them to help curb the transmission of microbes. These strategies may include random audits, well-written protocols, visual reminders, training for new staff and regular continuing education for current staff.