Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections through Hand Hygiene

Abstract

Previously published guidelines provide comprehensive recommendations for hand hygiene in healthcare facilities. The intent of this document is to highlight practical recommendations in a concise format, update recommendations with the most current scientific evidence, and elucidate topics that warrant clarification or more robust research. Additionally, this document is designed to assist healthcare facilities in implementing hand hygiene adherence improvement programs, including efforts to optimize hand hygiene product use, monitor and report back hand hygiene adherence data, and promote behavior change. This expert guidance document is sponsored by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and is the product of a collaborative effort led by SHEA, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), and The Joint Commission, with major contributions from representatives of a number of organizations and societies with content expertise. The list of endorsing and supporting organizations is presented in the introduction to the 2014 updates.

Reducing the risk of healthcare‐associated infections through Lean Six Sigma: The case of the medicine areas at the Federico II University Hospital in Naples (Italy)

“…5 Healthcare-associated infections are therefore widely investigated in healthcare, [8][9][10] and research has revealed correlations between certain viral infections and bacteria in various pathologies. 11,12 Several factors cause HAIs, some of which are related to prolonged and inappropriate use of invasive devices and antibiotics, insufficient application of standard and isolation precautions, inadequate environmental hygiene, poor infrastructure, insufficient equipment, lack of standardized procedures, and the absence of local and national guidelines and policies. 5,[13][14][15] Surveillance of HAIs has been recognized as an important component of any comprehensive infection prevention and control program.…”

“…19 When these surveillance strategies are integrated with quality improvement principles, techniques, and management tools, infection prevention systems are considerably strengthened and ensure both patient safety and high-quality patient care. 12,[19][20][21] In fact, healthcare processes can be analysed as business processes, and tools that are used in business contexts can also be adapted for use in healthcare processes. However, the implementation of management tools to healthcare processes is not always easy due to the lack of global, standardized, and repeatable indicators to measure the quality of care.…”

Assessment of Fidelity in Interventions to Improve Hand Hygiene of Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review

“…In many HH interventions, educational sessions are provided to participants. 14 However, the effectiveness of the intervention may depend on the amount of material presented. Thus, it is important to quantify, for example, the number of sessions completed, their duration, or their intensity.…”

Prevention of Clostridium difficile Infection in Critically Ill Adults

“…11 Robust hand hygiene programs should be foundational in every ICU and include objective components such as so-called secret shopper audits (anonymous trained observers who monitor hand hygiene practices), volumebased utilization of hand disinfectants, and routine feedback for ICU staff. 19 Emphasis should also be placed on the appropriate hand hygiene method, understanding that soap-and-water hand hygiene should be used when caring for patients with CDI during outbreaks or in hyperendemic settings. 11 Pharmacy personnel can be key team members of a hand hygiene program in the ICU and demonstrate adherence during clinical rounds, medication reconciliation, care conferences, medication delivery, and medical emergencies.…”