Access to hand hygiene in eastern Ontario.
BACKGROUND
Hand hygiene compliance improves when alcohol-based hand products (ABHP) are provided at the point-of-care (POC). However, it is not known how many facilities have the infrastructure available to provide easy access to ABHP currently.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the extent to which facilities in the Champlain Infection Control Network (CICN) provide POC access to ABHP.


METHODS
A survey was conducted of all healthcare facilities in the CICN in October 2007. Sites were asked to complete a one-page questionnaire regarding number and location of ABHP dispensers on one ward in their facilities. The primary outcome measures included: the proportion of facilities providing any POC access to ABHP and the proportion of ABHP dispensers that were at POC, hallways and other areas.


RESULTS
A total of 18 of 59 (31%) long-term care facilities (LTCF) and 14 of 18 (78%) acute-care facilities (ACF) participated in the survey. Intensive care units (ICUs) were present in seven (50%) of the ACF. POC access to ABHP was provided in 44% of LTCF, 50% of ACF and 71% of ICUs surveyed. In LTCF 20% of ABHP dispensers were at the POC compared to 23% in ACF and 42% in ICUs.


CONCLUSIONS
Although ABHP is available in these settings, most dispensers are not provided at the POC. Hospitals and LTCF need to increase the number of ABHP dispensers available, with a particular emphasis on placing them at the POC in accordance with provincial guidelines.
Vayalumkal
Joseph V
JV
Canadian Field Epidemiology Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Ouellet
Colette
C
Roth
Virginia R
VR
D003625:Data Collection; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D009864:Ontario; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000592:standards