Hand Hygiene Campaigning: From One Hospital to the Entire Country

Philip Russo, M. Lindsay Grayson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (Book)Otherpeer-review

Abstract

A successful national hand hygiene program requires clear support and commitment from both national and state health departments, as well as executive support within all participating hospitals. Without support from these jurisdictional representatives, hospitals' executive staff, clinical leaders, and local champions, any effort to introduce a national program will be wasted. The successful introduction of a national hand hygiene campaign can be achieved using a variety of approaches. However, the process undertaken to implement the Australian national hand hygiene initiative (NHHI) appears to provide a reasonable blueprint for other countries that may be considering a national strategy to improve hand hygiene in acute‐care hospitals. Among healthcare worker (HCW) groups, levels of compliance vary, with nursing staff consistently demonstrating a 10–15 percent higher hand hygiene compliance rate than medical staff, nevertheless, both groups have improved steadily since the commencement of the NHHI.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHand Hygiene
Subtitle of host publicationA handbook for medical professionals
EditorsDidier Pittet, John M. Boyce, Benedatta Allegranzi
PublisherWiley-Blackwell
Chapter36
Pages256-262
Number of pages7
Volume1
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)9781118846858
ISBN (Print)9781118846865
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2017
Externally publishedYes

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