[Infection control training for physicians to improve hand hygiene on surgical rounds : The more the better?]

A high level of hand hygiene compliance is the best way to prevent postoperative wound infections and is therefore an important starting point for interventions. Despite different campaigns the hand hygiene compliance of physicians remains to be improved. The aim was to analyze the effect of tailored and innovative interventions on the hand hygiene compliance of physicians.

At first the hand hygiene compliance of physicians was monitored during their ward rounds at three different wards. Afterwards two different interventions were performed and 6 weeks after each intervention the hand hygiene compliance was monitored again.

The hand hygiene compliance of the control group (no intervention) did not change throughout the study. The ward where a small intervention was used showed an increase of hand hygiene compliance. Tailored intervention, however, resulted in a significant improvement of hand hygiene compliance in the ward where it was used.

Training concerning hand hygiene has to be improved to increase the prevention of infections. Tailored interventions with a high amount of practical relevance are suited to increase the compliance with preventive procedures (e.g. hand hygiene compliance). To improve the infection prevention for physicians in the long term, a firm knowledge about the indications for hand hygiene procedures is needed. This can be ensured by infection control training with a practical focus, small memory aids and permanent support from infection prevention professionals.