Handshake-free zone in a neonatal intensive care unit: Initial feasibility study.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare-associated infections
• Infection control practices
• Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) protocols

Background:

• Handshakes are a common social custom in healthcare but can transmit infections.
• Compliance with hand hygiene protocols in healthcare settings is often below 50%.
• A handshake-free zone (HFZ) was proposed for a NICU to reduce disease transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and evaluate the impact of an HFZ in a NICU.
• To assess the reception of an HFZ by patient families and healthcare providers (HCPs).

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study was conducted in two UCLA Medical Centers' NICUs.
• An HFZ was established, and data were collected using questionnaires for families and HCPs.

Main Results:

• Handshake greetings decreased significantly during the HFZ period compared to before.
• Physicians' handshake frequency and perceived importance shifted towards nurses' attitudes during the HFZ.
• All patient families and 66% of HCPs supported the establishment of an HFZ.

Conclusions:

• The HFZ effectively reduced the frequency of handshakes in the NICU.
• The HFZ influenced HCP behavior and attitudes, with variations based on gender and profession.
• Patient families and the majority of HCPs favored the implementation of an HFZ.