Hand hygiene compliance and glove use in intensive care units: a one-year observational study in Hungary

Proper hand hygiene among healthcare personnel is a critical factor in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified improving hand hygiene compliance as a priority in infection prevention.

To improve hand hygiene compliance, evaluate the effectiveness of education, continuous monitoring and feedback, and determine the relationship between hand hygiene compliance and HAIs.

Hand hygiene compliance was monitored in the intensive care unit of the Szabolcs-Szatmár Bereg County Hospitals and University Teaching Hospital in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, over one year, using the WHO direct observation method, recording 7473 instances. The incidence of HAIs (per 100 patients treated) was assessed by retrospective medical record analysis of 1002 patients.

The three care departments showed differing compliance levels. The internal medicine intensive care department II displayed significantly different hand hygiene compliance and HAI incidence compared with the other two departments. A significant correlation was found between hand hygiene compliance and HAI incidence across the entire intensive care unit and within the surgical department. There was a measurable correlation between unjustified glove use and non-compliance with hand hygiene.

Education, continuous monitoring, and feedback play a significant role in improving hand hygiene compliance, thereby contributing to the reduction of HAIs. However, several additional influencing factors must be considered, as the relationship between compliance and HAIs was confirmed only in one department.