Hand hygiene compliance among the nursing staff in freestanding nursing homes in Taiwan: a preliminary study

Int J Nurs Pract. 2014 Feb;20(1):46-52. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12120. Epub 2013 Jun 18.

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the hand hygiene compliance among the nursing staff in Taiwanese freestanding nursing homes. A descriptive observational research design was used. A total of 782 opportunities for hand hygiene were observed by one trained research assistant in two freestanding nursing homes. The hand-hygiene observation tool was used to assess hand hygiene practice. The overall hand hygiene compliance among nursing staff in nursing homes was only 11.3%. Results further showed that the compliance was greater after contact with body fluids (odds ratio = 6.9, confidence interval (CI) = 3.75-9.88, P = 0.000) and lower before the performance of aseptic procedures (odds ratio = 0.15, CI = 0.04-0.63, P = 0.003) when compared with other activities. Hand hygiene compliance was relatively low among the nursing staff in freestanding nursing homes in Taiwan. To comprehensively analyze this issue, further research involving a larger number of nursing homes and strategies to improve compliance with hand hygiene among the nursing staff at these institutions is needed.

Keywords: compliance; handwashing; nurses; nurses' aides; nursing homes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Guideline Adherence*
  • Hand Hygiene*
  • Humans
  • Nursing Homes / organization & administration*
  • Nursing Staff*
  • Taiwan