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. 2016 Sep;22(9):1628-30.
doi: 10.3201/eid2209.151440.

Reduction of Healthcare-Associated Infections by Exceeding High Compliance with Hand Hygiene Practices

Emily E Sickbert-Bennett, Lauren M DiBiase, Tina M Schade Willis, Eric S Wolak, David J Weber, William A Rutala

Reduction of Healthcare-Associated Infections by Exceeding High Compliance with Hand Hygiene Practices

Emily E Sickbert-Bennett et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

Improving hand hygiene from high to very high compliance has not been documented to decrease healthcare-associated infections. We conducted longitudinal analyses during 2013-2015 in an 853-bed hospital and observed a significantly increased hand hygiene compliance rate (p<0.001) and a significantly decreased healthcare-associated infection rate (p = 0.0066).

Keywords: Clostridium difficile; bacteria; compliance; enteric infections; hand hygiene; healthcare-associated infections; nosocomial infections.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Overall healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rate and hand hygiene compliance by month, October 2013­–February 2015. Numbers above data bar indicate monthly compliance percentages. Error bars indicate 95% CIs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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