Mrs. Anie Edward1, Ms. Maureen Canning1, Ms. Louise Aiton1, Ms. Monique Sammut1, Ms. Kim Nash1
1Western Health, Footscray, Australia
Biography:
Anie Edward is an Infection Prevention Consultant and Team Leader at Western Health. She brings over 30 years of diverse nursing experience to the role, having held multiple leadership positions. She facilitates Infection Prevention study days and has been conducting Hand Hygiene Auditor training sessions since 2016. Her academic accomplishments include a Bachelor of Nursing (Post Registration), Master of Science in Nursing Management, Master of Infection Prevention and Control, and a Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) degree.
Abstract:
Background
Proper hand hygiene is essential for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in hospital settings. However, reliance on gloves instead of hand hygiene is widespread, potentially compromising infection control. This study investigates the reasons for continued glove use over recommended hand hygiene practices, as well as the resulting impacts on compliance and infection prevention.
Methods
An observational audit was conducted at a major tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia, using the Hand Hygiene Auditing Tool. The audit involved 50 healthcare workers (HCWs), including doctors, nurses, and personal care staff, recording hand hygiene and glove usage practices. It explored reasons for preferring gloves over hand hygiene and barriers to compliance with hand hygiene protocols.
Results
The audit revealed that HCWs frequently used gloves in place of hand hygiene, mainly due to convenience and time constraints. Significant factors included concerns about glove efficacy, inadequate hand hygiene practices, and misconceptions about protection against cross-contamination. Although glove usage was high, 75% of participants recognised the importance of hand hygiene in preventing HAIs.
Conclusion
There is a concerning dependence on glove use over hand hygiene among HCWs, driven by convenience and misperceptions about efficacy. Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene, and if overused, they can lead to gaps in infection prevention and control. Addressing this issue requires improved training, clear guidelines, and strategies to emphasise the importance of hand hygiene. Enhanced education on appropriate glove use and hand hygiene is recommended to promote compliance and reduce HAI risks.