Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem ()

Hand hygiene management among nurses: collective health challenges

  • João Manuel Graveto,
  • Cristina Santos,
  • Paulo Santos Costa,
  • Elisabete Fernandes,
  • Susana Alarico,
  • Nádia Osório,
  • Helena Albano,
  • Vânia Oliveira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0538
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 71, no. suppl 1
pp. 562 – 567

Abstract

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ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the determining factors in hand hygiene management among nurses and identify associated collective health challenges. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was applied in four internal medicine units of a hospital of reference in Portugal. Results: The sample was composed of 50 nurses aged 26 to 55 years (mean age of 34.88 years); 80% were women, 58% had a Bachelor’s degree, and had 5-30 years of nursing practice (X̄ =11.94;±5.92). The vast majority of nurses (90%) reported complying with the existing recommendations on hand hygiene in pre-established moments. However, none of the nurses were able to identify all the moments for hand hygiene using water and soap or alcohol-based handrub. Conclusion: This study shows that continuous training, adequate materials/structures in the units, and redesigned administration/supervision practices are determining factors to achieve higher levels of adherence to hand hygiene among nurses, as well as increased quality and safety in care delivery, which is a current collective health challenge.

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