JSTOR: Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Vol. 21, No. 6 (June 2000), pp. 381-386

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Published by: The University of Chicago Press on behalf of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

Article DOI: 10.1086/501777

Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/501777

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Improving Compliance With Hand Hygiene in Hospitals

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Abstract
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Abstract(back to top)

Hand hygiene prevents cross‐infection in hospitals, but compliance with recommended instructions often is poor among healthcare workers. Although some previous interventions to improve compliance have been successful, none has achieved lasting improvement. This article reviews reported barriers to appropriate hand hygiene and factors associated with poor compliance.

Easy access to hand hygiene in a timely fashion and the availability of skin‐care lotion both appear to be necessary prerequisites for appropriate hand‐hygiene behavior. In particular, in high‐demand situations, hand rub with an alcohol‐based solution appears to be the only alternative that allows a decent compliance. The hand‐hygiene compliance level does not rely on individual factors alone, and the same can be said for its promotion. Because of the complexity of the process of change, it is not surprising that solo interventions often fail, and multimodal, multidisciplinary strategies are necessary. A framework that includes parameters to be considered for hand‐hygiene promotion is proposed, based on epidemiologically driven evidence and review of the current knowledge. Strategies for promotion in hospitals should include reasons for noncompliance with recommendations at individual, group, and institutional levels. Potential tools for change should address each of these elements and consider their interactivity.

Bibliographic Information(back to top)

Improving Compliance With Hand Hygiene in Hospitals
Didier Pittet , MD, MS
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Vol. 21, No. 6 (June 2000) (pp. 381-386)

Author Information(back to top)

Didier Pittet , MD, MS

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This item contains 1 note(s).

Notes

From the Infection Control Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.Address reprint requests to Didier Pittet, MD, MS, Professor of Medicine, Director, Infection Control Program, Department of Internal Medicine, 24, rue Micheli‐du‐Crest, University of Geneva Hospitals, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.The author thanks members of the Infection Control Program at the University of Geneva Hospitals, who have been involved in research and institutional projects related to hand‐hygiene compliance and promotion since 1993. The author is indebted to Rosemary Sudan for editorial assistance.00‐RVC‐035. Pittet D. Improving compliance with hand hygiene in hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2000;21:381‐386.

Items Citing this Item (back to top)

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