Abstract :
Hand hygiene is nowadays considered as one of the most important measures
to prevent transmission and acquisition of HCAIs (health care associated
infections). Monitoring hand hygiene compliance and providing healthcare
workers with feedback regarding their performance are considered integral
parts of a successful hand hygiene promotion programme. A total of 50 ICU
staffs(resident doctors, faculty & nurses e.t.c.) were included in this
interventional study. Baseline data of hand hygiene practices of all staffs and
pre-intervention hand culture were obtained. Post intervention hand culture
were taken after 30 days of training and interactive sessions as well as
continous availability of ABHR in the ICU. Results of post-intervention hand
culture showed a marked decrease in isolation of bacteria specially those of
MRSAand ESBL. MRSAwas low by 35% and in non of the cases ESBL was
reported. In all the ICUs frequency of hand hygiene was poor(average 31%)
but improved significantly after intervention (70%).Introduction of ABHR was found to be an effective tool for
improving hand hygiene. As a result of periodic training, monitoring, surveillance hand cultures and awareness
generating campaign, transmission of resistant bacteria can be reduced, thus reducing the burden of nosocomial
infection in a hospital set-up.
Keyword :
Intensive care unit, Alcohol based hand rub (ABHR), Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL).