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Research or audit? The benefits and limitations of structured observation of the hand hygiene practice of named staff

University of Dundee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 11 Airlie Place, Dundee DD1 4HJ, k.c.lee{at}dundee.ac.uk

M. Themessl Huber

Health Psychologist, University of Dundee

P. Davidson

Lead Infection Control Advisor, NHS Tayside

A pilot research study was undertaken on two tertiary care wards to examine factors influencing hand hygiene compliance. This comprised environmental audit and observation of individual staff for two hour periods. Although it was labour intensive, observation proved a valuable tool in highlighting problems in risk assessment. The results show that hand hygiene was performed following a high proportion (59%) of hand hygiene opportunities, but not in accordance with local guidelines, due predominately to choice of inappropriate hand decontamination agent and/or unnecessary use of gloves. These errors in individual decision-making processes about the choice of hand hygiene measures may be the reason why motivational interventions can be ineffective, and they need to be addressed before audit of compliance can be meaningful.

Key Words: Hand hygiene • observation • risk assessment • compliance • infection prevention

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British Journal of Infection Control, Vol. 9, No. 2, 12-17 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1469044607087608


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Lee, K.E. Articles by Davidson, P. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?