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Published on: October 29, 2016
Nail microbial colonization following hand disinfection: a qualitative pilot study
M Z Wałaszek1, M Kołpa2, A Różańska3
1Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences, State Higher Vocational School in Tarnów, Poland; St Łukasz Voivodeship Hospital, Tarnów, Poland.
Healthcare workers with long nails or UV-cured nail polish have a higher risk of ineffective hand hygiene. This study examined microbial colonization on nails after hand hygiene practices.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infection Control
- Healthcare Epidemiology
Background:
- Effective hand hygiene is crucial for preventing nosocomial infections in healthcare settings.
- Microbial colonization of healthcare workers' nails can contribute to pathogen transmission.
- Understanding factors influencing nail colonization is essential for improving hygiene protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To qualitatively examine microbial colonization on healthcare workers' nails after hand hygiene.
- To investigate the impact of nail length and nail polish on microbial presence.
- To assess the correlation between nail characteristics and the effectiveness of hand hygiene.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative examination of microbial colonization on fingernails.
- Stratification of results based on nail length (short vs. long).
- Analysis of microbial presence in relation to nail coating (natural vs. varnished, including UV-cured polish).
Main Results:
- Potentially pathogenic microorganisms were significantly correlated with longer nails (OR: 7.1; P < 0.001).
- Microbial presence was also linked to the use of ultraviolet (UV)-cured nail polish (OR: 7.2; P < 0.05).
- Longer nails and UV-cured nail polish increased the likelihood of ineffective hand hygiene.
Conclusions:
- Keeping long nails poses a high probability of ineffective hand hygiene.
- The presence of UV-cured nail polish on nails also significantly increases the risk of inadequate hand hygiene.
- Nail care practices, including length and polish use, are critical factors in healthcare hand hygiene effectiveness.
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