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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
[Factors related with the performance of a proper hand hygiene]
Trinidad Dierssen-Sotos1, Marta de la Cal-López, Mar Navarro-Córdoba
1Grupo de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, España. trinidad.dierssen@unican.es
Objective:
To identify factors related with the performance of a proper hand hygiene technique in a hand hygiene campaign.
Methods:
We developed two cross-sectional studies on 15 hospital units. The outcome variable was complied HH with proper technique and the exposures variables were care factors (unit, professional group, etc) and other factors related with the HH campaign (training on hand washing).
Statistical Analysis:
The strength of association was measured using odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence interval (CI). Adjusting for confounders was performed using multiple logistic regression.
Results:
12% of the observed 1241 hand hygiene were performed with proper technique. The strongest associated factors were ICUS (OR: 4.07 (CI 95% (1.95-8.51)), surgical wards (OR: 3.24 (CI 95% (1.52-6.92), procedures with high risk of contamination (OR: 2,56 CI 95% (1.34-4.70)), and physicians (OR: 2.52 CI 95% (0.93-6.85)). Training increased by 21% the probability of hand hygiene with proper technique for every 10% increase in trained health care workers (OR: 1.21 CI 95% (1.01-1.45).
Conclusions:
Hand Washing Training was associated with proper technique especially in surgical services and physicians.
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