title: The effectiveness of a skin care program for the prevention of contact dermatitis in health care workers (the Healthy Hands Project): study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Health care workers (HCW) are at high risk for developing occupational hand dermatitis (HD) due to frequent exposure to 'wet work'. Amongst HCWs, nurses are at highest risk, with an estimated point prevalence of HD ranging between 12 and 30%. The burden of disease is high with chronicity, sick leave, risk of unemployment and impaired quality of life. Despite evidence from the medical literature on the risk factors and the importance of skin care in the prevention of HD, in practice, compliance to skin care protocols are below 30%. New preventive strategies are obviously needed.
  
  
  
  This is a cluster randomized controlled trial, focusing on nurses performing wet work. In total, 20 wards are recruited to include 504 participating nurses in the study at baseline. The wards will be randomized to an intervention or a control group and followed up for 18 months. The intervention consists of the facilitation of creams being available at the wards combined with the continuous electronic monitoring of their consumption with regular feedback on skin care performance in teams of HCWs. Both the intervention and the control group receive basic education on skin protection (as 'care as usual'). Every 6 months, participants of both groups will fill in the questionnaires regarding exposure to wet work and skin protective behavior. Furthermore, skin condition will be assessed and samples of the stratum corneum collected. The effect of the intervention will be measured by comparing the change in Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI score) from baseline to 12 months. The Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) levels, measured in the stratum corneum as an early biomarker of skin barrier damage, and the total consumption of creams per ward will be assessed as a secondary outcome.
  
  
  
  This trial will assess the clinical effectiveness of an intervention program to prevent hand dermatitis among health care workers TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register (NTR), identification number NTR5564 . Registered on 2 November 2015.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, VU University Medical Centre (VUmc), De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081HV, The Netherlands. m.soltanipoor@amc.uva.nl.|Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands. m.soltanipoor@amc.uva.nl.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1408-4351
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soltanipoor
authors.affiliation: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sanja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kezic
authors.affiliation: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Judith K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sluiter
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, VU University Medical Centre (VUmc), De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081HV, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rustemeyer
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D064548:Hand Sanitizers / Q000009:adverse effects; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology; D016272:Occupational Health; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012107:Research Design; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D063465:Skin Cream / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D064548:Hand Sanitizers