title: A point prevalence survey on hand hygiene, with a special focus on Candida species.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A 1-day point prevalence study evaluated hand hygiene compliance, yeast colonization, and contamination, focusing on the hands of health care workers (HCWs) and patient-oriented surfaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hand hygiene compliance was evaluated by applying the direct observation technique and the World Health Organization's compliance program, "My Five Moments for Hand Hygiene." A total of 128 samples from HCWs working in intensive care (n = 11) and intermediate care (n = 2) units and 65 environmental samples from Innsbruck Medical University Hospital were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hand hygiene compliance was superior for nurses (83.5%) and moderate for medical doctors (45.2%). In general, fungal growth was unique; only 9 of 128 HCW samples and only 4 of 65 environmental samples yielded positive results. The genetic relatedness of yeasts from the same species was investigated by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing. RAPD profiles exhibited the potential for cross-transmission of yeasts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, the fungal colonization and contamination rate was low, but a high level of hand hygiene compliance was lacking.
authors: Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Brühwasser
authors: Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Hinterberger
authors: Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Mutschlechner
authors: Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors: Josef
authors: J
authors: Kaltseis
authors: Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors: Cornelia
authors: C
authors: Lass-Flörl
authors: Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: astrid.mayr@i-med.ac.at.
authors: Astrid
authors: A
authors: Mayr
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D063373:Hand Hygiene / Q000379:methods*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D009726:Nurses; D010820:Physicians; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: Candida species; Compliance; Hand hygiene; Nosocomial infection