Abstract
Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is essential in preventing healthcare-associated infections, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where SARS-CoV2 has shown the ability to survive on surfaces for days. In this study, we explore HH compliance rate and the factors associated with its increase during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: HH compliance was assessed amongst doctors in Anesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care Unit by direct observation between 2018 and 2021. An anonymous survey was then sent to the doctors to understand factors influencing the observed improvement in HH compliance during the pandemic. Results: Compliance towards the five moments of HH has shown a statistically significant rising trend from a median HH compliance of 60% in 2018, to 70% in 2019 to 94% in 2020. However, HH compliance subsequently declined in the first quarter of 2021 to median of 87%. The follow-up survey had a response rate of 96% (n = 53). 90% of survey participants responded that their HH frequency had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with 47% stating they were performing HH 11 - 20 times/day. 64% responded that this increased frequency had affected their skin condition. 62% responded that this increased frequency was sustainable even after the pandemic ends. Participants ranked considerations influencing HH compliance. “Prevent transmitting the infection to vulnerable patients” was ranked highest followed by “High infection rate”, “Fear of contracting COVID-19” and lastly, “Public health guidelines”. Conclusions: Despite the absence of new campaigns, HH compliance reached an all-time high. The pandemic has provided opportunity for behavioral change through “reflective” drivers of behavior such as emotions (“Fear”) and knowledge (“High infection rate”). Understanding the motivations behind current increased HH compliance and riding on the increased initial uptake of behavior may help convert HH into a habitual action and not just a reaction to the pandemic.
Highlights
COVID-19 has spread around the world with virtually no region left untouched
We explore Hand hygiene (HH) compliance rate and the factors associated with its increase during COVID-19 pandemic
The follow-up survey had a response rate of 96% (n = 53). 90% of survey participants responded that their HH frequency had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with 47% stating they were performing HH 11 - 20 times/day. 64% responded that this increased frequency had affected their skin condition. 62% responded that this increased frequency was sustainable even after the pandemic ends
Summary
COVID-19 has spread around the world with virtually no region left untouched. The speed of the spread and the alarming death rates have seen many countries and jurisdictions introduce measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Microorganisms can survive on surfaces for extended periods and have often been found to contaminate and colonize Health Care Worker’s (HCW) hands resulting in cross-transmission [2]. The necessity for improvement in the hand hygiene compliance rate amongst health care workers has been stressed multiple times over the years [5]. Hand hygiene (HH) is essential in preventing healthcare-associated infections, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where SARS-CoV2 has shown the ability to survive on surfaces for days. We explore HH compliance rate and the factors associated with its increase during COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous survey was sent to the doctors to understand factors influencing the observed improvement in HH compliance during the pandemic. 90% of survey participants responded that their HH frequency had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with 47% stating they were performing HH 11 - 20 times/day. Understanding the motivations behind current increased HH compliance and riding on the increased initial uptake of behavior may help convert HH into a habitual action and not just a reaction to the pandemic
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