Improving hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in accident and emergency department at the University Teaching of Kigali

Abstract

Background: Hand Hygiene is the single most important intervention for preventing Hospital Acquired infections in healthcare facilities. Compliance with HH has remained low in Healthcare settings worldwide is about 40%[1]

Methods: Researcher conducted Pre and post intervention study on compliance of Health workers to Hand Hygiene at Accident and Emergency Department at CHUK, data were collected using WHO observation tool for Hand Hygiene before and after implementation of intervention from November to December 2021 for pre intervention and March to April 2022 for post intervention and the implementation of interventions started in January to March 2022. Paired sample T-test was used to compare the pre and post intervention results to measure the improvement change.

Results: 200 opportunities were observed in pre-intervention and 200 in post-intervention. Overall Hand Hygiene compliance improved from 72 actions to hand hygiene of 200 opportunities in pre-intervention (36%) to 136 actions to hand hygiene in 200 opportunities(68%) in post intervention among 40 staff (Nurses and doctors).

Conclusion: Initiating and displaying voice audio and reminder posters as interventions had led to behavior change to Hand Hygiene and improved Hand Hygiene compliance in healthcare workers at Accident and Emergency Department from 36% to 68% however, regular monitoring by Infection Prevention and Control unit and A&E managers is needed to improve Hand Hygiene compliance to the required standards as stipulated in CHUK Hand Hygiene policy.

Key words Hand Hygiene Compliance, Healthcare workers, Accident and Emergency