Assessing hand hygiene resources and practices at a large african teaching hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To gather baseline data on hand hygiene (HH) practices in an African hospital with a newly established infection prevention and control team.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, observational study. Setting. Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, a large teaching hospital in Ghana with approximately 1,000 beds.


METHODS
All hospital staff with patient contact were eligible for assessment of HH practices.


METHODS
HH observations were conducted using a standardized data collection tool and method based on the World Health Organization's "5 Moments of Hand Hygiene." Small-group interviews were conducted to gather additional information on perceptions of HH and barriers to its use. HH resource needs were also assessed using a standardized tool.


RESULTS
HH was attempted in 12% of the opportunities and was performed appropriately in 4% of the opportunities. Most main wards (89%) had at least 1 functional HH station. The most commonly identified barriers to HH were limited resources and lack of knowledge on appropriate times to perform HH.


CONCLUSIONS
We developed and applied tools to evaluate HH resources and practices in a large African hospital. These assessments were undertaken to guide future efforts to improve HH at this hospital but can also serve as a model of the way to perform a systematic assessment at acute care hospitals in developing countries.
Owusu-Ofori
Alex
A
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.
Jennings
Rebecca
R
Burgess
Jennifer
J
Prasad
Priya A
PA
Acheampong
Faustina
F
Coffin
Susan E
SE
D000438:Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005869:Ghana; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods; D010564:Personnel, Hospital
D000438:Alcohols