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Increasing Handwashing in an Intensive Care Unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Joni A. Mayer ,
Patricia M. Dubbert ,
Mary Miller ,
Paul A. Burkett  and
Stanley W. Chapman
Joni A. Mayer
Affiliation:
Jackson Veterans Administration Medical Center and theUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
Patricia M. Dubbert*
Affiliation:
Jackson Veterans Administration Medical Center and theUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
Mary Miller
Affiliation:
Jackson Veterans Administration Medical Center and theUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
Paul A. Burkett
Affiliation:
Jackson Veterans Administration Medical Center and theUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
Stanley W. Chapman
Affiliation:
Jackson Veterans Administration Medical Center and theUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
*
Psychology Service (116B), Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1500 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216
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Abstract

The present study provides the first systematic evaluation of strategies for increasing handwashing of hospital staff. Nursing staff on two intensive care units (ICUs) were observed over a 3-month period. After baseline observations, two interventions were implemented on the experimental unit: 1) changing to an emollient handwashing agent, and 2) providing feedback to staff about the frequency of handwashing. Feedback focused on the previous day's handwashing following completed patient contacts, interrupted patient contacts, and critical procedures. No increase in handwashing was observed following introduction of the emollient soap. However, when feedback was provided on the experimental ICU, handwashing following completed patient contacts (the major dependent measure) increased to 92%, and was significantly higher than handwashing on the control unit. Follow-up observations suggested that compliance on the experimental unit appeared to return to baseline levels.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 7 , Issue 5 , May 1986 , pp. 259 - 262
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1986

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