Adherence to hand hygiene in an Italian long-term care facility

Am J Infect Control. 2008 Sep;36(7):495-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2007.10.017.

Abstract

In an Italian long-term-care facility (LTCF), we observed a 17.5% adherence to hand hygiene (HH), as well as 47.5% rate of glove use. Performing a procedure at high risk for cross-transmission of germs was the factor most strongly associated with noncompliance (odds ratio = 13.3; 95% confidence interval = 6.2 to 28.8; P < .0001). No significant differences in compliance related to health care worker category were found. Adherence to HH in the LTCF was similar to that found in a rehabilitation medicine unit of an acute care hospital (15.8%) but significantly lower than that reported in an infectious disease unit (53.7%; P < .0001). Our findings indicate that compliance with HH is a similar problem in LTCFs as in acute care facilities.

MeSH terms

  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Guideline Adherence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Hand Disinfection / methods*
  • Health Personnel*
  • Health Services Research
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient / prevention & control*
  • Italy
  • Long-Term Care