Can improving patient hand hygiene impact Clostridium difficile infection events at an academic medical center?

Publication date: 1 September 2017
Source:American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 45, Issue 9
Author(s): Marian Pokrywka, Michele Buraczewski, Debra Frank, Heather Dixon, Juliet Ferrelli, Kathleen Shutt, Mohamed Yassin
BackgroundHand hygiene plays an important role in the prevention of Clostridium difficile (CD) infection (CDI). Patient hand hygiene (PHH) may be a potentially underused preventative measure for CDI. Patient mobility and acuity along with a lack of education present obstacles to PHH for the hospitalized patient. Surveys of patients at our institution showed a need for increased PHH opportunities. The objective of this study was to increase PHH and to examine if PHH affected CDI at our hospital.MethodsA biphasic, quasi-experimental study was performed to increase PHH through education for staff and to provide education, assistance, and opportunities to the patient for hand cleaning. PHH practice was assessed by patient surveys and analyzed by χ² test. PHH effect on CDI was determined by following health care facility–onset CD laboratory–identified events data analyzed by National Healthcare Safety Network standardized infection ratios (SIRs).ResultsPHH opportunities improved significantly (P < .0001) after staff and patient education. CD SIRs deceased significantly for 6 months (P ≤ .05) after the PHH intervention.ConclusionsPHH opportunities can be increased by providing education and opportunities for patients to clean their hands. PHH should be considered a relevant preventative measure for CDI in hospitalized patients.



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