Lack of time tops the reasons for healthcare workers skip handwashing according to a study in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology journal.
A summary on the Becker's Clinical Quality and infection Control website said that of 123 healthcare workers in a Thai hospital, compliance with the World Health Organization's "five moments" of hand hygiene was 23.2 percent by direct observation and 82.4 percent by self report. In a survey, the participants identified 11 barriers to compliance. The tope five are:
• I hurry/emergent patient conditions — 45.5 percent
• I don't see any dirt/I think it's not dirty — 24.4 percent
• I forget — 19.5 percent
• I'm busy/too many patients — 15.4 percent
• It is inconvenient — 13.8 percent
Read the rest of the list and more articles on hand hygiene.
A 'Superbug' Is on the Rise in Hospitals
The Next Generation of Security Tech in Healthcare Facilities
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of St. Petersburg Opens
Why More Facilities are Adding Gender Neutral Restrooms
Massachusetts Hospital Cyberattack Reflects Growing Vulnerability in Healthcare Systems