P169: Is patient participation useful to improve staff hand hygiene compliance in a geriatric hospital?

Abstract

Methods We conducted a survey on the impact of feedback and patient participation on hand hygiene compliance at our institution in 2012 and included 5 of 16 wards at the geriatric hospital. Patients were randomly recruited by an infection control nurse in 2 of the 5 wards to investigate the potential for patients to be actively engaged in hand hygiene practices. Inclusion criteria were: a cognitive capability of >19 as measured by a Mini Mental State examination and a stable health condition. At day 0, patients were trained in hand hygiene indications that should be carried out by staff and by themselves. Patients were given a training brochure and a bottle of alcohol-based handrub, together with a questionnaire about their willingness to either carry out hand hygiene or remind staff of the procedure, if not accomplished. At day 7, included patients underwent an interview to assess their active participation.