Comparison of knowledge, attitudes and hand hygiene behavioral intention in medical and nursing students.

INTRODUCTION: Hand hygiene is crucial to prevent cross infection. Healthcare students are in a prime position to learn hand hygiene skills. The aim of this study was to analyze hand hygiene behavioral intentions of healthcare students before and after contact with the patient and to compare the knowledge of and attitude towards hand hygiene between medical and nursing students. METHODS: In a descriptive survey research design, convenience selection of a sample of medical students (n=657) and nursing students (n=303) was done from modules taught by the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health in both Medicine and Nursing undergraduate degrees in four Spanish universities. The hand hygiene Questionnaire, a validated instrument to evaluate behavior, knowledge, and attitudes, was used. RESULTS: A significantly lower percentage of students reported always or almost always carrying out hand hygiene before contact with the patient or invasive procedures in comparison to the percentage complying after contact with secretions or with the patient. Although hand hygiene knowledge appears acceptable, its importance is not sufficiently valued. CONCLUSIONS: There are deficiencies in behavioral intention, knowledge, and attitudes related to hand hygiene in medical and nursing students. Better results are observed among nursing students, especially those who have received specific training.

[Knowledge and willingness to perform basic life support by local police officers]. / Conocimientos y disposición para realizar soporte vital básico por agentes de la policía local.

BACKGROUND: To determine the knowledge and willingness of local police officers (PO) to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as well as to explore the association between CPR training and these variables. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a sample of 390 PO from Asturias (Spain). An anonymous questionnaire was used to measure nine basic aspects of CPR from the European Resuscitation Council and four indicators of attitude towards performing CPR in a real context. Information on CPR training and its periodicity was also collected, as well as basic socio-demographic and occupational variables. RESULTS: Lack of CPR training was seen in 19.7% of PO, and 36.4% had received such training more than two years ago. Almost one out of four PO had performed at least one CPR in a real situation (24.1%), of which 9.6% had not been trained. The least remembered aspects of CPR were depth (11%) and frequency of chest compressions (24.4%). Only 49.7% of the agents felt sufficiently prepared to perform a CPR. Knowledge and disposition were significantly associated with having received training with a periodicity of less than two years. CONCLUSIONS: Given that PO are frequently first responders in situations of out-of-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest, specific training in CPR should be mandatory and periodic, with at least one course every two years. It would be interesting to determine which didactic instrumentation is most efficient for disseminating these training courses among police officers. Key words. Police. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; attitude. Emergencies.

Cumplimiento de las precauciones de aislamiento de contacto por microorganismos multirresistentes en un hospital de tercer nivel / Compliance with contact isolation precautions of multidrug-resistant microorganisms in a tertiary hospital

Introducción. El aislamiento preventivo del paciente con microorganismos multirresistentes se considera una medida eficaz para evitar situaciones de brote epidémico en el ámbito hospitalario. El objetivo es evaluar el cumplimiento por parte de profesionales sanitarios y familiares de las precauciones de aislamiento de contacto en pacientes colonizados/infectados con microorganismos multirresistentes. Material y métodos. Estudio observacional desde octubre de 2014 a marzo de 2015. Se diseñó una lista de verificación de monitorización con variables de estructura (dotación material), conocimiento de la situación y cumplimiento de las precauciones por pacientes, familias y profesionales. Se realizó análisis univariante y bivariante. Se utilizaron las pruebas no paramétricas U de Mann-Whitney y KruskalWallis. Resultados. Se realizaron 467 monitorizaciones. El carro se encontraba correctamente ubicado en 453 ocasiones (97%). El tensiómetro individual estaba presente en 421 observaciones (90%), mientras que el fonendoscopio y el termómetro no superaban el 44% (43,9% de 205 y 16,5% de 77, respectivamente). El contenedor de residuos y el producto de base alcohólica se observaron bien ubicados en 461 (98,7%) de los casos. El jabón antiséptico para higiene del paciente se registró correctamente colocado en 348 ocasiones (74%). El 84,9% (305) de los pacientes y el 91,4% (234) de los familiares conocían la situación. El cumplimiento en los profesionales de colocación/retirada de bata desechable y guantes se situó próximo al 50% para la entrada a la habitación (49,5% de 56 y 53,0% de 60, respectivamente) y fue del 40% (28) para la salida. La higiene de manos se registró como realizada en 30 ocasiones (26,5%) a la entrada y 25 (35,2%) a la salida. Conclusiones. Existe un importante margen de mejora en el cumplimiento de las precauciones de aislamiento. El incumplimiento actual no puede ser imputado al déficit de materiales, sino a conductas individuales. Urge implementar y evaluar programas de intervención basados en modelos psicosociales, capaces de modificar la actitud y las conductas relacionadas con las precauciones de aislamiento de contacto por microorganismos multirresistentes (AU)

Introduction. Preventive isolation of patients with multidrug-resistant microorganisms is considered an effective measure to prevent outbreaks in hospitals. The objective of this study is to assess compliance by healthcare workers and family of contact isolation precautions in colonised/infected patients with multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Methods. An observational study was conducted from October 2014 to March 2015. A checklist with a structure was designed (equipment trolley), including knowledge of the situation and compliance by the patients, families, and healthcare workers. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed. Non-parametric tests Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis were used. Results. Out of the 467 observations made, the equipment trolley was correctly situated in 97% (453) of cases, the sphygmomanometer in 90% (421), the stethoscope 43.9% (205), and thermometer 16.5% (77). A dustbin and the alcoholic solution were observed in over 98.7% (461) of cases. The antiseptic soap for patient hygiene was observed to be correctly placed in 348 (74%) of occasions. The situation was known by 84.9% (305) of patients and 91.4% (234) of families. As regards compliance by professionals with the placement/removal of disposable gowns and gloves was about 50% for entering the room (49.5%, 56 gown and 53.09%, 60 gloves), and 40% (28) for leaving the room by professionals. Hand hygiene compliance was 26.5% (30) for entering and 35.2% (25) when leaving. Conclusions. There is significant room for improvement in the compliance with isolation precautions. Non-compliance to isolation procedures is not due to a deficit of materials, but to individual behaviours. It is important to implement and evaluate programs based on psychosocial intervention models that can change attitudes and behaviours related to contact isolation precautions for multidrug-resistant microorganisms (AU)

[Compliance with contact isolation precautions of multidrug-resistant microorganisms in a tertiary hospital]. / Cumplimiento de las precauciones de aislamiento de contacto por microorganismos multirresistentes en un hospital de tercer nivel.

INTRODUCTION: Preventive isolation of patients with multidrug-resistant microorganisms is considered an effective measure to prevent outbreaks in hospitals. The objective of this study is to assess compliance by healthcare workers and family of contact isolation precautions in colonised/infected patients with multidrug-resistant microorganisms. METHODS: An observational study was conducted from October 2014 to March 2015. A checklist with a structure was designed (equipment trolley), including knowledge of the situation and compliance by the patients, families, and healthcare workers. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed. Non-parametric tests Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis were used. RESULTS: Out of the 467 observations made, the equipment trolley was correctly situated in 97% (453) of cases, the sphygmomanometer in 90% (421), the stethoscope 43.9% (205), and thermometer 16.5% (77). A dustbin and the alcoholic solution were observed in over 98.7% (461) of cases. The antiseptic soap for patient hygiene was observed to be correctly placed in 348 (74%) of occasions. The situation was known by 84.9% (305) of patients and 91.4% (234) of families. As regards compliance by professionals with the placement/removal of disposable gowns and gloves was about 50% for entering the room (49.5%, 56 gown and 53.09%, 60 gloves), and 40% (28) for leaving the room by professionals. Hand hygiene compliance was 26.5% (30) for entering and 35.2% (25) when leaving. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant room for improvement in the compliance with isolation precautions. Non-compliance to isolation procedures is not due to a deficit of materials, but to individual behaviours. It is important to implement and evaluate programs based on psychosocial intervention models that can change attitudes and behaviours related to contact isolation precautions for multidrug-resistant microorganisms.