Mrs. Lilieta T. Frances Snoddy1, Miss Margaret Leong1, Miss Kate Ryan
1Pacific Community (spc), Suva, Fiji
Biography:
Lilieta works with the Ministry of Health and Human Services in the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a IPC Supervisor She is currently pursuing the Foundations for IPC – International through ACIPC.
Kate Ryan has been an integral part of the Hand Hygiene Australia team since it's inception in 2008, she currently works between HHA and Austin Health as an IPC consultant.
Margaret Leong is the IPC Advisor for the Pacific Community and is based in Suva, Fiji. She works with IPC focal points to strengthen IPC capacity in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories.
Abstract:
Background
Hand hygiene (HH) is the most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections. The Pacific Community introduced a standardized hand hygiene program by engaging Hand Hygiene Australia to train IPC focal points as Gold Standard Auditors using the WHO 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene. Implementing hand hygiene auditing, followed by multi-modal improvement strategies, aimed to significantly improve hand hygiene practices at Ebeye Hospital.
Method
Baseline HH observational audits were carried out at Eybe hospital in the Republic of Marshall Islands between 1st August – 31st October 2023.
This was followed by implementation of multi-modal strategies, including: feedback of the audit results to HCWs and senior management; education of clinical staff; improving access to alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) at the point of care; and placement of posters to remind HCWs of the indications when and how to perform hand hygiene.
A follow-up audit was then conducted between 1st February – 30th April 2024 to assess the impact of the interventions.
Results
Hand hygiene compliance was 25.5% at baseline and improved to 50.2% after the intervention period (p<0.001). ABHR dispenser placement was improved with installation of an additional 20 dispensers.
A confounding finding that 15/30 sinks were not functional indicates that improvement in HH compliance (HHC) may be greatly underestimated.
Conclusion
A standardized hand hygiene program, with certified auditors is crucial to the development and implementation of a multi-modal plan to improve compliance to the 5 moments to hand hygiene in clinical care. Improvements in access to ABHR can significantly improve HHC.