ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Hand hygiene is the most cost-effective and simple measure of preventing healthcare associated infections (HAI). The approach to improve low compliance must be through multimodal interventions such as the "Clean Care is Safer Care" strategy (WHO). AIM: To estimate the efficacy of a multimodal strategy in improving hand hygiene in five wards of a tertiary care hospital in Medellín, Colombia (2008-2010). METHODS: Quasi-experimental before-after study. RESULTS: Hand hygiene compliance significantly increased after the intervention (82 to 89%, p = 0.007). The knowledge score increased from a median of 26 (IQR=22-28) to 30 (IQR=26-32, p = 0.001). Alcohol-based hand rub consumption increased significantly from 10.5 liters to 58.1 liters per 1000 patient-days [incidence ratio (IR) = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.99; 2.88]. Monthly HAI rates showed no significant variations during the same period [IR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.71; 1.13]. DISCUSSION: This and other recent studies demonstrate that implementing a multimodal strategy for hand hygiene significantly increases compliance with this measure, irrespective of type of health worker or hospital department. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a multimodal strategy we achieved significant increases in hand hygiene compliance but mild or no significant variations in monthly HAI rates.
Subject(s)
Cross Infection/prevention & control , Hand Disinfection/standards , Health Personnel/education , Infection Control/methods , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Colombia , Guideline Adherence , Health Plan Implementation , Hospitals, University , Humans , Tertiary Care CentersABSTRACT
Introduction: Hand hygiene is the most cost-effective and simple measure of preventing healthcare associated infections (HAI). The approach to improve low compliance must be through multimodal interventions such as the "Clean Care is Safer Care" strategy (WHO). Aim: To estimate the efficacy of a multimodal strategy in improving hand hygiene in five wards of a tertiary care hospital in Medellín, Colombia (2008-2010). Methods: Quasi-experimental before-after study. Results: Hand hygiene compliance significantly increased after the intervention (82 to 89%, p = 0.007). The knowledge score increased from a median of 26 (IQR=22-28) to 30 (IQR=26-32, p = 0.001). Alcohol-based hand rub consumption increased significantly from 10.5 liters to 58.1 liters per 1000 patient-days [incidence ratio (IR) = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.99; 2.88]. Monthly HAI rates showed no significant variations during the same period [IR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.71; 1.13]. Discussion: This and other recent studies demonstrate that implementing a multimodal strategy for hand hygiene significantly increases compliance with this measure, irrespective of type of health worker or hospital department. Conclusions: Implementing a multimodal strategy we achieved significant increases in hand hygiene compliance but mild or no significant variations in monthly HAI rates.
Introducción: La higiene de manos es una medida costo-efectiva para prevenir las infecciones asociadas a la atención de salud (IAAS). Para mejorar el cumplimiento se recomienda implementar estrategias multimodales como "atención limpia es atención segura" de la OMS. Objetivo: Estimar el efecto de la estrategia multimodal en cinco unidades de un hospital de tercer nivel en Medellín, Colombia (2008-2010). Métodos: Estudio cuasi-experimental antes y después. Resultados: El cumplimiento general con la higiene de manos aumentó de forma significativa en el período posterior a la implementación (82 a 89%, p = 0,007). El puntaje de conocimientos aumentó entre los dos períodos de tiempo (Mediana = 26, RIC = 22-28 vs Mediana = 30, RIC = 26-32; p = 0,001). El consumo de alcohol aumentó de 10,5 litros a 58,1 litros por 1.000 pacientes/día [razón de incidencias (RI) = 2,39; 95% CI = 1,99; 2,88]. Las tasas mensuales de IAAS no mostraron variaciones [RI = 0,90; 95% CI = 0,71; 1,13]. Discusión: Este estudio demuestra que la implementación de una estrategia multimodal para la higiene de manos aumenta significativamente el cumplimiento con esta medida, independientemente del tipo de trabajador y el servicio hospitalario. Conclusión: Con la estrategia multimodal se aumentó significativamente el cumplimiento con la higiene de manos.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Hand Disinfection/standards , Health Personnel/education , Infection Control/methods , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Colombia , Guideline Adherence , Health Plan Implementation , Hospitals, University , Tertiary Care CentersABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To measure the perception of quality of life in Venezuelan patients with knee osteoarthritis and to identify those variables that may influence it. METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional study of 126 mestizo patients with knee osteoarthritis recruited from 8 rheumatology centers in Venezuela. We used a Spanish-translated version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS), as adapted in Venezuela. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the AIMS mean total score among subgroups of knee pain, anatomic stage, and socioeconomic status (SES); a post-hoc test was performed to identify significant intragroup differences. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine correlations between age, body mass index (BMI), disease duration, knee pain, and AIMS score. Associations between radiologic stage, SES, and AIMS scores were examined using Spearman's rank correlation. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate predictor factors of AIMS scores. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between total AIMS scores and knee pain, age, and socioeconomic status, but not with BMI, disease duration, or anatomic stage. Patients with severe knee pain differed from those with mild and moderate pain, and the highest AIMS mean total score was seen in patients within the severe knee pain subset. Patients in the highest socioeconomic levels differed from those within lowest categories. Patients classified as being at the levels of relative and critical poverty showed the highest AIMS scores. Multiple regression analysis showed that knee pain was the only variable that exerted an independent effect on the quality of life in our patients. CONCLUSION: The perception of quality of life is negatively affected by increasing levels of joint pain, old age, and low socioeconomic status in Venezuelan patients with knee osteoarthritis. Our study supports the need for an early and vigorous approach to treat pain in this group of patients.
