Jurnal internasional Afrika vol.11 issue 3 2021
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Compliance with hygiene practices among healthcare workers at an academic hospital emergency department
Dublin Core
Title
Jurnal internasional Afrika vol.11 issue 3 2021
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Compliance with hygiene practices among healthcare workers at an academic hospital emergency department
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Compliance with hygiene practices among healthcare workers at an academic hospital emergency department
Subject
Handwashing
Hand hygiene
Alcohol-based hand rub
Bare below the elbows
Emergency department, disposable surgical
gloves
Hand hygiene
Alcohol-based hand rub
Bare below the elbows
Emergency department, disposable surgical
gloves
Description
Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are an important contributor to patient morbidity and
mortality. Healthcare workers (HCWs) hands are the chief mode of transmission of HCAIs. The emergency centre
(EC) is frequently the first point of contact for patients within the health care system. The aim of this study is to
determine compliance with hygiene practices among healthcare workers at a tertiary hospital EC.
Methods: Hygiene practices of staff were observed over a six-week period. Data pertaining to compliance rates
with hand cleansing and other hygiene practices was collected. Consent was obtained retrospectively to avoid
influencing participant behaviour.
Results: From a total of 477 potential hygiene opportunities, compliance with hand hygiene was only 34.4% (n =
164). Hand cleansing with an alcohol-based hand rub was observed in 87 (26.7%) of the 326 (68.3%) oppor-
tunities where it was indicated, while handwashing with soap and water was observed in 35 (23.2%) of the 151
opportunities where this was indicated. Compliance to each of the six steps of handwashing ranged between
62.2% and 83.5%, with there being a gradual deterioration in compliance from step one through to step six.
Compliance with ‘bare below the elbows’ was observed in 242 (50.7%) opportunities while disposable surgical
gloves were worn on 85 (44.7%) of the 190 opportunities where this was indicated.
Conclusion: Compliance with hygiene practices among EC HCWs is suboptimal. Various strategies including
ongoing systematic training and regular audits may improve overall hygiene practices among EC staff.
mortality. Healthcare workers (HCWs) hands are the chief mode of transmission of HCAIs. The emergency centre
(EC) is frequently the first point of contact for patients within the health care system. The aim of this study is to
determine compliance with hygiene practices among healthcare workers at a tertiary hospital EC.
Methods: Hygiene practices of staff were observed over a six-week period. Data pertaining to compliance rates
with hand cleansing and other hygiene practices was collected. Consent was obtained retrospectively to avoid
influencing participant behaviour.
Results: From a total of 477 potential hygiene opportunities, compliance with hand hygiene was only 34.4% (n =
164). Hand cleansing with an alcohol-based hand rub was observed in 87 (26.7%) of the 326 (68.3%) oppor-
tunities where it was indicated, while handwashing with soap and water was observed in 35 (23.2%) of the 151
opportunities where this was indicated. Compliance to each of the six steps of handwashing ranged between
62.2% and 83.5%, with there being a gradual deterioration in compliance from step one through to step six.
Compliance with ‘bare below the elbows’ was observed in 242 (50.7%) opportunities while disposable surgical
gloves were worn on 85 (44.7%) of the 190 opportunities where this was indicated.
Conclusion: Compliance with hygiene practices among EC HCWs is suboptimal. Various strategies including
ongoing systematic training and regular audits may improve overall hygiene practices among EC staff.
Creator
Abdullah E. Laher, Ljuba-Ruth Van Rooyen , Ali Jawa , Callistus OA Enyuma ,
Kylen M. Swartzberg
Kylen M. Swartzberg
Source
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2021.05.002
Date
9 May 2021
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Citation
Abdullah E. Laher, Ljuba-Ruth Van Rooyen , Ali Jawa , Callistus OA Enyuma ,
Kylen M. Swartzberg , “Jurnal internasional Afrika vol.11 issue 3 2021
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Compliance with hygiene practices among healthcare workers at an academic hospital emergency department,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 21, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/1848.
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Compliance with hygiene practices among healthcare workers at an academic hospital emergency department,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 21, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/1848.