Objectives: Hand Hygiene Australia commenced implementation of the National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) in 2008. The primary aim of the NHHI was to accurately measure hand hygiene compliance (HHC) from all acute healthcare facilities. The standardised HHC audit tool allowed for the collection of hand hygiene (HH) action e.g. Use of alcohol based hand rub (ABHR), wash with soap and water, or missed action. The aim of this study was to identify the usage frequency of product by jurisdiction, HCW and by Hand Hygiene Moment.
Method: A National prospective observational study of HHC practices among Australian acute healthcare facilities. HHC data was collected by trained auditors via direct observation. All facilities that had submitted data to the NHHI were included within the study population. Only data entered into the HHA web based Hand Hygiene Compliance Application (HHCApp) database was analysed.
Results: All HHC data from Period 3 2010 and Periods 1 & 2 2011 in HHCApp was analysed. There was a significant increase in ABHR use from 48% in Audit 3 2010 to 52% in Audit 2 2011, with a corresponding decrease in soap use and “missed” HH actions. Medical staff, personal carers and domestic staff used ABHR the least compared with nurses, AH and invasive technicians, and had the lowest overall HHC.
Conclusion: ABHR use across the country has increased in this time frame as the NHHI program reaches more hospitals. Education needs to be given to particular HCW groups about HHC and the benefits of ABHR use.