Hand hygiene and professional practice: comparative studies exploring attitudes and practice among healthcare students and among healthcare professionals

Abstract

Hand hygiene is widely recognised as an effective measure in preventing the transmission of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI). HCAI is a public health challenge internationally and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and multi-drug resistant organism-associated infections add to the complexity and diversity of the challenge. Now, more than ever, the strategic and operational implementation of infection prevention and control policies, including hand hygiene improvement strategies, is a priority in managing the acute patient safety risk posed by the transmission of pathogenic organisms. Despite this, evidence shows that hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers (HCWs) internationally is low, while little is known about the hand hygiene practices of HCWs in Ireland. Heretofore, a comprehensive independent study of hand hygiene practice among HCWs in Ireland has not been published. This thesis presents an independent study of hand hygiene in Ireland and includes the following,