Is Hand Hygiene Given Appropriate Importance in Tertiary Care Centres?

Volume : IV, Issue : IV, April - 2015

Dr. P. A. Archanalakshmi, Dr. A. Meriton Stanly, Dr. Christina Mary Paul, Mrs. H. Gladius Jennifer

Is hand hygiene given appropriate importance in tertiay care centres?

Introduction : Hand hygiene is a major component of standard precaution and one of the most effective methods to

prevent transmission of pathogens associated with health care.1 Transmission of microorganisms from the hands of health care workers is the

main cause of nosocomial infections. It is pertinent to know the practice of hand hygiene among health care providers and reasons for non

adoption so that the problems can be overcome in future.

Objectives

1. To assess the adoption of Appropriate hand hygiene practices among health care providers at tertiary levels of health care.

2. To find out the reasons for non–adoption.

Methodology : A cross sectional study was done to assess the adoption of appropriate hand hygiene among health care providers (Doctors,

nurses, lab technicians) in a government and private tertiary hospital. The total subjects included in the study were 950. The data was analysed

by SPSS–16. Proportion & chi square test was used to assess the statistical significance at 5% α.

Results : The number of subjects included for the study in private tertiary care centre were 439(46.2%), and in Government tertiary care centre

were 511(53.8%) with a total of 950 health care providers.