Low hand hygiene compliance in surgical ward of Kibogora District Hospital

Abstract

Background Hand hygiene is necessary in order to protect the patients and health care workers from the hospital acquired infections. Hospital acquired infection can affect 50% of hospital population. Hand hygiene by alcohol based gel, soap and water can prevent from hospital acquired infection. The alcohol based gel can be produced locally by following WHO product formulation (1). We conducted the interventional study on 392 opportunities require ring hand hygiene. Data collection tools were conceived to be adapted to WHO five moments of hand hygiene. The base line data were collected from 30 May to 20 June, 2016. The post intervention data started from the 1st to 25 March 2017. All data was analyzed through SPSS software for statistical tests before analysis procedure and determined the significance level. Results The overall hand hygiene compliance rate in surgical ward of Kibogora hospital improved from 26% to 55.8%. P- Value < 0.01. Nurses hand hygiene compliance rate improved significantly before touching a patient, before aseptic procedure, after body fluids exposure risk and after touching a patient. P-Value was < 0.001. The MD’s hand hygiene before touching a patient improved significantly, before aseptic procedure and after touching a patient. P-Value was < 0.01. Conclusion By using the small bottles of alcohol based gel, soap, paper towels, availing hand hygiene reminders, hand hygiene guideline and supervise hand hygiene activities, hand hygiene compliance in surgical ward of Kibogora District Hospital increased from 26 to 55.8% by February to march 2017. P - Value < 0.01. Our intervention is recommended.