Sleep safe in clean hands: Improving hand hygiene compliance in the operating room through education and increased access to hand hygiene products

Abstract

Background: Hand hygiene compliance is low among anesthesia providers in the operating room, which places patients at risk of preventable infections. The goal of this project was to improve hand hygiene compliance by educating anesthesia providers on the World Health Organization s 5 indications for hand hygiene, and increasing access to hand hygiene products in the operating room. Methods: Observations of hand hygiene in the operating room took place in 3 phases: preimplementation, postimplementation, and 60 days postimplementation. Results: The results showed significant improvements in compliance for each of the 5 indications for hand hygiene as well as overall compliance. Each of the 3 phases of anesthesia demonstrated significant improvement as well. The results also showed a significant decrease in both glove use and use of the portable hand sanitizer device. Discussion: Education and monitoring of hand hygiene among anesthesia providers in the operating room can improve hand hygiene compliance. Conclusions: Although the use of the portable device declined, further studies could focus on observing single anesthesia providers instead of a preceptor/student combination, and also examine proximity to hand hygiene products in relation to compliance.