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Increasing ICU Staff Handwashing: Effects of Education and Group Feedback

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Patricia M. Dubbert ,
Jeffrey Dolce ,
William Richter ,
Mary Miller  and
Stanley W. Chapman
Patricia M. Dubbert
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs and University of Mississippi Medical Centers, Jackson, Mississippi
Jeffrey Dolce
Affiliation:
Department of General and Preventive Medicine, the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama
William Richter
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs and University of Mississippi Medical Centers, Jackson, Mississippi
Mary Miller
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs and University of Mississippi Medical Centers, Jackson, Mississippi
Stanley W. Chapman
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs and University of Mississippi Medical Centers, Jackson, Mississippi
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Abstract

This study provides an evaluation of the effectiveness of methods to increase hand-washing (HW) by nurses working in an intensive care unit. After baseline observations, two interventions were implemented in sequence: three series of classes conducted by the infection control nurse (ICN); and feedback to staff about handwashing errors on the previous day. Staff were aware that handwashing was being observed throughout the study. The educational intervention produced an immediate increase in HW that was followed by a decline to baseline rates over four weeks. Feedback produced an improvement to 97% compliance that was sustained until completion of the study. Improvement in HW compliance following specified critical procedures was also observed following interventions.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 11 , Issue 4 , April 1990 , pp. 191 - 193
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1990

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