The Role of a Quality Control Circle in Sustained Improvement of Hand Hygiene Compliance

Hand hygiene is an important element of the WHO multimodal strategy for healthcare-associated infection control, whereas compliance of hand hygiene among healthcare workers (HCWs) remains a challenge to sustain. Chen, et al. (2016) describe a quality control circle (QCC) program was carried out in their hospital, including a plan-do-check-act (PDCA) method that was applied for 12 months.

Hand hygiene compliance rates improved over time, with significant improvement between pre-intervention (60.1%) and post-intervention (97.2%) periods. Nurses (88.3%) exhibited higher compliance than dentists (87.3%), and female (88.4%) HCWs were more likely to perform hand hygiene than males (85.6%). Overall hand hygiene compliance and observance of the five indications exhibited significant linear increases over time.

The researchers say this study highlights the success of a multifaceted intervention, conducted by QCC program and PDCA method, which led to a significant improvement of hand hygiene compliance. Though training is the most basic intervention element, surveillance, evaluation and feedback should be explored as additional interventions to ensure that hand hygiene compliance is achieved and sustained at high levels.

Reference: Chen P, et al. Role of quality control circle in sustained improvement of hand hygiene compliance: an observational study in a stomatology hospital in Shandong, China. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control. 2016;5:54