HAND HYGIENE COMPLIANCE, KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN SOUTH INDIA

Aim and objective of the study: To assess the compliance, knowledge and perception among health care workers regarding hand hygiene by conducting regular surveillance and educational programs. This surveillance program objective is to evaluate the effect of three different educational programs on improving hand hygiene compliance, knowledge and perception among health care workers in a tertiary care center in South India Materials and Methods: It is an observational and knowledge perception study conducted ina tertiary care center, over a period of 6 months (Jan 2018 to June 2018) using WHO tools. Questionnaires were distributed to 180 participants which included Doctors, Nurses, technicians, Residents & Medical students in 5 units of the hospital (3 ICUs and 2 post-operative wards) The study is divided into Pre interventional, Interventional and Post interventional phase. The interventions included.1. Role model training. 2. Lectures with PowerPoint presentations, 3. Posters and charts representing hand hygiene protocols & motivational messages Results: Hand hygiene compliance was observed during 2153 hand hygiene opportunities and knowledge perception was assessed among 180 participants in the pre intervention and 180 participants in the post interventional period. After intervention the Hand hygiene compliance rate significantly improved in two post-operative wards and two ICUs (total four out of five units targeted). In the perception survey improvement in knowledge was observed. Strong smell of alcoholic hand rub was mentioned as a common reason for noncompliance in one ICUs. Some wrong practices like using hand rub over the glove were corrected. Conclusion: The surveillance and training program improved the hand hygiene compliance and knowledge among health care workers in four out of five units intertiary care center. Role model training had the most impact. However consistent and continuous educational and training programs are necessary to further improve and maintain the compliance rates of hand hygiene.