Usage of Ultraviolet Test Method for Monitoring the Efficacy of Surgical Hand Rub Technique Among Medical Students

Abstract

Adequate hand movements are essential in surgical hand rub, so it is important for medical students to learn it correctly. To assess its efficacy, we aimed to use ultraviolet (UV) light test after applying fluorescent solution. Digital images of the hands of 253 medical students were analyzed during "Basic Surgical Techniques" course on the 10th (Survey 1) and 14th (Survey 2) week of the curriculum to check the process and the skills development. The last step of the surgical hand rub was performed with a fluorescent solution, and then the hands were placed under UV light. Photographs were taken and analyzed. Every uncovered area was considered an error. Number and the localization of missed spots and its extent was determined. For evaluation, palmar (P) and dorsal (D) sides of the hands were divided into regions of interest (1-distal phalanxes, 2-thumb and first metacarpus, 3-second to fifth fingers, and 4-second to fifth metacarpals). Various magnitude and number of failure occurred in 123 (48.61%) students in survey 1 and in 65 (25.69%) in survey 2. The most frequent sites of the missed spots were D/2 and P/4 region in survey 1 and D/1 and P/4 in survey 2. There was an improvement seen in survey 2, as shown by a decrease in the number and extent of missed spots. Right-handed students made fewer mistakes on their nondominant hands than left-handed students (n = 23) did. The method was suitable to monitor the efficacy of surgical hand rub technique and identify the mistakes and the critical sites. The main advantage of the UV test was the immediate feedback, which resulted in a distinct improvement. Applying the UV test to the medical education and training may contribute to improvement in the compliance and the efficacy of the technique of surgical hand rub among the students.