Ms Sharon Mcilduff1, Mr Brian Yam1, Ms Vivian KY Leung1,2, Ms Elizabeth Orr1, A/Prof Caroline Marshall1,2
1Infection Prevention and Surveillance Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia, 2Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Sharon has worked with Infection prevention since 2006 at the Royal Melbourne Hospital as surveillance nurse. Her interests include surveillance and occupational contact dermatitis.
Abstract:
Introduction
Healthcare worker (HCW) contact dermatitis has been identified as one of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to increased frequency of handwashing and glove use. At the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), we observed an increase in HCWs reporting issues with hands. We aimed to determine the rate of hand dermatitis among HCWs and understand behaviours contributing to dermatitis.
Methods
A ten-question online dermatitis survey was developed based on literature and input from dermatologists. All HCWs were eligible to complete the survey between 5/5/2023 and 30/3/2024. The Infection Prevention and Surveillance Service promoted the HCW survey during education sessions, meetings, posters, intranet, and ward visits.
Result
Of 2,386 HCWs who completed the survey, 77% reported ≥1 dermatitis symptom. The majority (53%) of symptomatic HCWs reported washing their hands with soap >3 times per hour. Half reported wearing gloves for ≥2 hours per shift and 56% reported washing hands followed by hand sanitiser within a few seconds. Only 16% of HCWs reported using moisturiser for the recommended three times per shift. Of symptomatic HCWs, 66% had an atopic background. Slightly more HCWs with an atopic background (26%) wash their hands less than once per hour compared to those without an atopic background (20%).
Conclusion
We identified widespread dermatitis symptoms linked to hand hygiene practices. We found a large proportion of symptomatic HCWs, particularly those with atopic background, frequently combined handwashing and sanitiser use and underuse of hospital moisturizer. Targeted interventions are required to reduce the rate of dermatitis among HCWs.