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

Abstract

<p>Aim<br>Evaluate the intensive care acquired infections incidence and the change over time in infection practices in one intensive care unit.<br><br>Design<br>We used an action research approach with cyclical activities.<br><br>Methods<br>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.<br><br>Results<br>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.</p>