Hand Hygiene Practices and Training Gap in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Coastal Karnataka India

Background: Non-adherence to hand hygiene practices is a well-known factor contributing to healthcareassociated infections in any healthcare setting. Mere knowledge of such practices doesn’t guarantee the compliance to the practices by healthcare personnel. In this study we explored the quantum of adherence to handhygiene practices, the opportunity missed, the steps and the duration to be followed for hand hygiene practices and the training gap among the healthcare providers. Methodology: A six-month cross-sectional study using a mixed-method approach of observations, interview and feedback mechanism is used to find the effectiveness of hand hygiene practices and any training gap to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Observations for two thousand opportunities for hand washing and written interview of 40 healthcare workers is carried out on hand hygiene practices at a neonatal intensive care unit of coastal Karnataka, India. Results: The hand hygiene practices were as low as 0% observed while performing an non-invasive activity like clearing an alarm at the bedside. There is a gap found in the duration of hand-washing practices, hand hygiene before and after any care activity is performed on the neonate. This gap resulted in the spread of healthcare-associated infections. Conclusion: During the infections control training emphasis should also be given on the opportunities and hands on practices of hand hygiene.