Mobile application-assisted observation of hand hygiene practices among nurses in a tertiary care center: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Improper hand hygiene (HH) practices are responsible for nearly 40% of health care-associated infections (HCAIs). Good HH measures are the most cost-effective means of reducing its incidence. Health-care workers (HCWs) play an important role in reducing HCAI by adhering to HH and intensive care unit protocols. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study are to assess the knowledge regarding HH among nurses using a questionnaire and to assess compliance to the WHO's “My five moments of hand hygiene” among nurses using a mobile application (App). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional study in a tertiary care center conducted among 100 nurses willing to participate. Their knowledge on hand hygiene was assessed using the WHO questionnaire, and compliance to the WHO's “My five moments of hand hygiene” was assessed by direct observation and documentation using a mobile App (Speedy Audit™, freely downloadable, developed by Handy Metrics Corporation). The data on compliance were entered into the mobile App which saves it as a MS Excel sheet. The knowledge and compliance rate were then calculated using proportions. RESULTS: Of 100 nurses who participated in the study, 72% had good knowledge about HH practices. Overall compliance to “My five moments of hand hygiene” was 73.6%, with 100% compliance for “after body fluid exposure” and “after touching a patient” and 50% for “after contact with patient surroundings.” CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown that nurses not only have good knowledge about HH practices but have also implemented it. Periodic awareness programs on HH and the provision of adequate hand washing facilities can facilitate better practices.