Application of "hand hygiene observer" training method in improving hand hygiene compliance in medical staff

Background The probability of contamination of the hands of medical personnel in daily work is extremely high, making them an important medium for transmitting pathogens. Hand hygiene (HH) has always been a fundamental component of infection prevention in medical institutions, and is one of the most important, economical, and effective measures to prevent hospital infections. However, the difficulty in effectively improving hand hygiene compliance among medical personnel is a practical problem that needs to be urgently addressed.

Objective  To analyze the effect of “HH observers training” on improvement of accuracy of hand hygiene, so as to provide strategies for improving hand hygiene compliance among medical personnel.

Methods For the full effect of the infective monitor, we organized a series of activities of "HH observers qualification training and certification" in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University. A cross-sectional study was conducted by direct observation method, HCWs from 97 units (clinical department, ICU, out-patient department and auxiliary diagnosis department) were observed with the help of WHO HH Observation Form by the HH observers from 2014 to 2018.

Results A total of 515 HH observers were trained, the rate of hand hygiene compliance and the qualified of assessment of hand hygiene increased from 56.20%, 71.98% before the training activities to79.53%, 84.63% after the training activities, with statistically significant difference (χ²=856.944, P＜0.001; χ²=191.018, P＜0.001); the compliance of HH of doctors, nurses, nursing workers, cleaners was significantly higher after the training activities (P＜0.001), so did the compliance of the “five opportunity of HH” (P＜0.01).

Conclusion “HH observers training” can remarkably raise the accuracy of hand hygiene, which is an effective way to improve the compliance and accuracy rate of hand hygiene.