Hand Hygiene and Infection Control: Skin Care Supports Patient Care

Hands-on Help

Studies show at least one-third of all hospital infections are preventable.³ Recent reports of outbreaks and endemic infections caused by enterococci, including vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) indicate that patient-to-patient transmission of microorganisms can occur through direct or indirect contact via the hands of healthcare professionals or through contaminated equipment or environmental surfaces.

Today, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) cost more than $5 billion annually and result in almost 100,000 deaths in the United States. Additionally, the 4 percent of patients with an HAI reduced operating margins by more than $286 million. Patients infected with MRSA are hospitalized for an average of 12 days longer than otherwise necessary, at an average additional cost of $27,082.⁴

Factors in Noncompliance

One hospital-wide survey showed that in 2,834 observed opportunities for hand hygiene, compliance was 48 percent. The lowest rate (36 percent) was in intensive care units where indications for handwashing were typically more frequent.⁵

Healthcare professionals report a number of reasons for not adhering to hand hygiene recommendations including skin irritations, interference with patient care, forgetfulness, lack of scientific evidence, disagreement with guidelines, insufficient time, high workload and understaffing, and the belief that wearing gloves negates the need for proper handwashing.