title: Handwashing practices in an intensive care unit: the effects of an educational program and its relationship to infection rates.
abstract: Handwashing is the single most important procedure in the prevention of nosocomial infections and yet it remains the most violated of all infection control procedures. With a sequential intervention study in an intensive care unit we have demonstrated that poor handwashing practices are associated with a high nosocomial infection rate, whereas good handwashing practices are associated with a low nosocomial infection rate. An educational and enforcement program designed to improve handwashing procedures can significantly reduce endemic nosocomial infection rates.
authors.affiliation: Infection Control Unit, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Conly
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lertzman
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Louie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education*