Perception of ‘speaking up for hand hygiene’ initiative among nurses and other healthcare professionals at critical care areas of a teaching hospital

• Main Authors: Mohd Ali, Noor Azizah, Suhaimi, Nur Syahirah
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: RT86.4 Nurse and physician or other health professionals
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/100423/1/Noor%20Azizah%20_UIAM_for%2024th_Sept_22.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/100423/7/BUKU-PROGRAM-MALAYSIA-SINGAPORE-FINAL-19.09.2022.pptx%20%281%29.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/100423/8/eCerT.my-781126115124.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/100423/

Introduction: Hand hygiene is a vital step that needs to be performed by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in order to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infection in the hospital. Despite this simple practice, effective and cost-saving, the challenges continue especially to keep the optimum compliance among HCPs. This study mainly aimed to assess the perception of ‘Speaking Up for Hand Hygiene’ initiative among nurses and other healthcare professionals in the critical care units of a teaching hospital. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using two sets of questionnaires via online (one for nurses and one for HCPs) via Google Form and a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: (1) Part A: Socio-demographic, (2) Part B: Perception regarding ‘Speaking up for hand hygiene, (3) Reasons for being reluctant to ‘Speaking Up for Hand Hygiene’, (4) Suggestions for good hand hygiene practice. Results: The majority of the nurses and other HCPs in the hospital have a positive perception of ‘Speaking Up for Hand Hygiene’ initiative. The findings also revealed that the reasons which may lead the nurses reluctant to speak up because they were afraid that speaking up will negatively affect their relationship as working colleagues. Meanwhile, the other HCPs did not want to interrupt the nurses while they are doing their nursing care. A significant difference between age group and perception of ‘Speaking Up for Hand Hygiene’ initiative among the nurses in critical care units (p=0.018) was found in this study. The suggestions to improve hand hygiene by the health care providers are using reminders, education and infection control reinforcement. Conclusion: This study provides insight into the implementation of ‘Speaking Up for Hand Hygiene’ initiative in healthcare settings in Malaysia.