UNCOVERING TRENDS IN HAND HYGIENE COMPLIANCE: A MULTI-STRATIFICATION ANALYSIS FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE
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Keywords
Hand hygiene, Compliance, WHO Five Moments, Healthcare workers, Infection control, Tertiary care hospital
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to assess hand hygiene compliance using a multi-stratification approach across different healthcare worker categories, departments, and WHO’s “Five Moments” for hand hygiene in a tertiary care setting.
Methods: An observational study was conducted at Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (SKBZN), Rawalakot, from June 2024 to December 2024. A total of 72 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, allied health staff, and housekeeping personnel, were observed during routine patient care. Compliance was measured according to WHO guidelines. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with chi-square tests applied to explore associations between demographic and professional factors and compliance rates. Results: Overall compliance was moderate, with the highest adherence after exposure to body fluids (76.4%) and after patient contact (70.8%). Compliance was lowest before patient contact (47.2%) and before aseptic tasks (51.4%), with statistically significant differences across the five WHO moments (p=0.003). Nurses demonstrated the highest compliance (73.3%), followed by doctors (63.6%), allied health staff (50.0%), and housekeeping staff (37.5%), with significant variation by profession (p=0.012). Departmental analysis revealed that ICU staff had the highest compliance (82.4%), while Emergency/OPD staff had the lowest (45.5%) (p=0.021).
Conclusion: Hand hygiene compliance remains suboptimal, with significant differences across professions, departments, and WHO moments. Strengthening targeted training, ensuring consistent resource availability, and fostering a culture of accountability are essential for improving compliance and enhancing patient safety.
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Dr. Rana Muhammad Naeem
MBBS, FCPS (Microbiology), Consultant Microbiologist, Department of Pathology, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital, Rawalakot, AJK
Dr. Inam Ullah Khan
MBBS, FCPS Microbiology, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, PAK
Dr. Asad Zafar
MBBS, FCPS Microbiology, Consultant Microbiologist, Department of Pathology, CMH Sibbi, PAK
, Dr. Syed Rizwan Hussain
MBBS, FCPS Medicine, Consultant Medical Specialist /Assistant professor of Medicine AJKMC, Department of Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital Muzaffarabad, AJK
Dr. Riffat Bushra
MBBS, FCPS Microbiology, Assistant Professor Microbiology, Department of Pathology, HITEC- IMS, Taxila, PAK
Dr. Uzma Ali
MBBS, FCPS Microbiology, Senior Consultant Pathologist, Department of Pathology, Provincial Headquarter Hospital Gilgit, PAK