Individual differences in judgments of hand hygiene risk by health care workers.
McLaughlin AC, Walsh F.
SourceDepartment of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The hand hygiene practices of health care workers (HCWs) have long been the main vector for nosocomial infection in hospitals. The purpose of this study was to examine influences on risk judgment from the individual differences in knowledge levels and health beliefs among US HCWs.
METHODS: Knowledge levels were assessed by questions taken from published questionnaires. The health locus of control scale was used to characterize internal health beliefs. HCWs assessed the risks of pathogen transfer in situations that varied according to the surface touched and the person doing the touching.
RESULTS: HCWs reported lower risk assessments for touching surfaces compared with touching skin. Risk assessment was influenced by individual differences, including in knowledge level and internal health locus of control.
CONCLUSION: Our data describe the individual differences of HCWs related to hand hygiene in ways that can be used to create targeted interventions and products to improve hand hygiene.
Health care workers may be unaware of the infection risk inherent in direct contact with various surfaces, according to a study conducted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
Ann McLaughlin, MD, PhD,and colleagues conducted a study including 71 nurses, infection preventionists and hospital environmental services managers who participated in a national survey measuring hand hygiene knowledge and beliefs.
In the survey, each participant “assessed real-life simulations designed to test their perceived risk of infection,” according to a release. Their perceived risk of infection encompassed their level of hygiene knowledge and internal health locus of control, “a measurement of how much influence they perceive themselves as having over controlling the spread of infection.”
Most health care workers (HCWs) in the study thought surfaces were safer than skin, even though researchers have proven that touching one contaminated surface can spread bacteria to up to seven other surfaces.
“Despite the dangers that fomites present, this knowledge may not be common enough among HCWs for them to understand the level of risk when touching surfaces and then touching patients,” the researchers wrote.
The researchers suggest using these findings to “create targeted interventions and products to improve hand hygiene.”
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.