Investigating and improving compliance with hand hygiene practices : an action research project

Abstract

This study explored the knowledge, perception and behaviour of orthopaedic health care workers (HeWs) with regards to hand hygiene. The study aimed to identify if these findings regarding the factors affecting compliance with hand hygiene practices could be replicated in the researcher's clinical area with the intention of identifying effective measures to combat such barriers. This action research study was carried out in one of the orthopaedic wards, where the target population included all the HeWs of the ward. The study was divided into a questionnaire and observational process interspersed with an educational campaign. A structured questionnaire was used to measure the knowledge and opinions of the HeWs, and distributed pre and post an educational programme with a response rate of 100%. Results showed a fairly good knowledge of basic hand hygiene although deficiencies were observed in actual practice. The educational programme was designed to meet the needs of the Hews identified through the questionnaire and observational data. An Observational scheme was used pre and post the programme to observe HeWs' practice. A Nominal Group Technique involving all ward participants was conducted to generate ideas in relation to the research problem. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected during the group meeting. Findings clearly indicate that the educational programme was effective, at least in the short term, as it significantly increased the Hews' knowledge and actual performance observed about hand hygiene. Several recommendations based on the findings are presented.