Three successful interventions in health care workers that improve compliance with hand hygiene: is sustained replication possible?

Abstract

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) compliance by health care workers has been universally disappointing. Two major programs (Washington and Geneva) have demonstrated interventions that induce sustained improvement. The introduction of alcohol-based hand rub (AHR) together with education also has been reported to improve compliance.

Methods: These interventions were replicated concurrently for 2 years in selected wards of an 800-bed university teaching hospital, with compliance assessed only within, not between, programs.

Results: No significant improvement in HH compliance was observed after the introduction of AHR (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.93 to 1.33; P = .238) or substitution of AHR for a similar product (IRR = 1.10; 95% CI = 0.91 to 1.32; P = .328) with concomitant education. The Washington program achieved a 48% (IRR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.20 to 1.81; P < .001) improvement in compliance, sustained over 2 years. The Geneva program failed to induce a significant increase in HH compliance in 3 wards, but achieved a 56% (IRR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.29 to 1.89; P < .001) improvement over the already high HH rate in 1 ward (infectious disease unit).

Conclusions: The Washington program demonstrated effectiveness in achieving sustained improved HH compliance, whereas the effect of the Geneva program was limited in those wards without strong medical leadership. Introduction of AHR without an associated behavioral modification program proved ineffective.