Action research on promoting hand hygiene practices in an intensive care unit

Abstract

Abstract Aim Evaluate the intensive care acquired infections incidence and the change over time in infection practices in one intensive care unit. Design We used an action research approach with cyclical activities. Methods Our study included two cycles with hand hygiene observation based on the WHO's five‐moments observation tool, observing hand hygiene practices, analysing the observations, and giving feedback on observations, intensive care acquired infection rates, and alcohol‐based hand rub consumption. The Revised Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence is the basis for this research report describing research aimed at improving patient safety and quality of care. Results During the study, annual alcohol‐based hand rub consumption increased by 6.7 litres per 1000 patient days and observed hand hygiene compliance improved. In the first cycle of the study, there was a decrease in critical care acquired infection rates, but the improvement was not sustainable.

Keywords

• action research
• consumption
• hand hygiene
• hand rub
• healthcare‐associated infection
• intensive care