Background and aims: Hand hygiene has been demonstrated to be a cost effective and simple measure to reduce hospital acquired infections (HAI)s. : Assess the hand hygiene promotion campaign issued by circular No18 and the campaign “Safe lives clean your hands ” and measure the impact on the hand hygiene compliance rate and HAI in 3 ICUs at NHP.
Methods: The Hand hygiene compliance rate was calculated using the WHO’s standard tool and methodology. HAI rates were measured using CDC surveillance methosd, The compliance rate and HAI rate were measured in 3 time periods: before the circular No18 (phase I), after the circular 18 and before the campaign (phase II) and after the campaign (phase III).
Results: The baseline hand hygiene compliance rate ( phase I) was 33.3% and it increased after each phase: to 55.8% (phase II) and 61.9% (phase III). There was a statistically significant decrease in HAIs from 11.5% (phase I) to 6.77% (phase II) and 3.69% (phase III (p<0.05). The compliance rate increased in the PICU (Paediatric), NICU (Neonatal), SICU (Surgical) from the phase I to phase II by 26%; 17.2% and 12.7%; from the phase II to phase III by 16.4%; 6.6% and 5.1%, respectively. HAIs rate decreased from13.8% to 6.59%, then 4.3% (PICU); 8.5% to 6.09% then 3.41% (NICU); 22.3% to 9.26% then 3.7% (SICU).
Conclusion: The hand hygiene compliance rate improved following the circular No18 and the WHO’s campaign . Moreover, the rate of HAI has reduced over the same time period.