Visitor characteristics and alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispenser locations at the hospital entrance: Effect on visitor use rates - 01/03/16
, Connie Steed, MSN, RN, CIC bHighlights |
• | We observed the visitor utilization of an alcohol-based hand sanitizers (AHS). |
• | We examined if location of AHS and visitor characteristics influenced usage of AHS. |
• | Location of AHS influences visitor's usage of the AHS. |
• | Age and entering the hospital as a group influence the likelihood of visitors using AHS. |
Abstract |
Background |
Hospital visitors' hand hygiene (HH) is an important aspect of preventing health care-associated infections, but little is known about visitors' use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (AHS). The study aim was to examine if use of AHS is influenced by visitor characteristics and the location of AHS within the lobby of a large hospital.
Methods |
An observational study was conducted with AHS placed in 3 different locations. The data included visitor characteristics and if AHS were used.
Results |
The results suggest that visitors are 5.28 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.68-7.82) more likely to use AHS when dispensers are located in the middle of the lobby with limited landmarks or barriers, 1.35 times more likely to use the AHS in the afternoon compared with the morning, or when they are younger visitors (adjusted odds ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.09-1.97). Individuals in a group are more likely (adjusted odds ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.06-1.84) to use AHS.
Discussion |
In addition to location, time of day, and age, there is a group effect that results in visitors being more likely to use AHS when in a group. The increased use related to groups may serve as a mechanism to encourage visitor HH.
Conclusions |
The results suggest future research opportunities to investigate the effect of group dynamics and social pressure on visitor AHS use and to identify strategies for improving visitor HH.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key Words : Hand hygiene, Compliance, Infection control
Plan
| Preliminary data from this study were presented as a poster at the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 2014 International Symposium on Human Factors in Health Care, March 16-19, 2014, Chicago, IL. |
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| Conflicts of Interest: None to report. |
Vol 44 - N° 3
P. 258-262 - mars 2016 Retour au numéro
Article précédent
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