Informatics Publishing Limited

Usha Rani ¹, Kiran Chawla ², Leslie E. Lewis ³, Indira Bairy ⁴, Vasudeva Guddattu ⁵, Jayashree Purkayastha ⁶, Christy Thomas Varghese ⁷

Affiliations
1 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Health Innovation, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
2 Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
3 Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
4 Professor, Department of Microbiology, MMMC, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
5 Associate Professor, Department of Data Sciences, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
6 Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN
7 Postgraduate Student, Dept. of Health Innovation, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

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 guaran tee the compliance to the practices by healthcare personnel. In this study we explored the quantum of adherence to hand hygiene 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 are as low as with nearly zero percent observed while with performing non-invasive activity like clearing an alarm at the bedside. There is a gap found in the duration of handwashing 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.

Keywords

Hand Hygiene, Infection Control, Healthcare-Associated Infections, Neonate, India

Full Text

     

Usha Rani ¹, Kiran Chawla ², Leslie E. Lewis ³, Indira Bairy ⁴, Vasudeva Guddattu ⁵, Jayashree Purkayastha ⁶, Christy Thomas Varghese ⁷

Affiliations
1 MHA, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Health Innovation, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN
2 MD, Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN
3 MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), IN
4 MD, Professor, Department of Microbiology, Manipal Melaka Medical College (MMMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN
5 PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Data Sciences, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN
6 MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN
7 Postgraduate Student, Dept. of Health Innovation, Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka–576104, IN

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Hand Hygiene, Infection Control, Healthcare-Associated Infections, Neonate, India.

Full Text