Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Background : HCWs{u2019} hands are the most usual type of vehicle for transmission of healthcare associated infections. Despite the importance of hand washing, numerous studies have shown that adherence to hand hygiene recommendations remains low and that improvement efforts frequently lack sustainabilityPurpose: Education and surveillance of the importance and adequacy of technique of alcohol-based hand rubbing among HCWs at pediatric ICUs in Cairo University Hospitals.Subjects and methods: Forty HCWs were randomly selected at two pediatric ICUs in Cairo University Hospitals. Three sets of hand cultures were collected from each one. The first culture (July 2016) was performed by direct-finger printing of both hands of the HCWs on suitable culture media for isolation of bacteria and was then repeated after demonstration of the technique of proper alcohol based hand rub. Second culture (September 2016) was done 45 days later, immediately after hand rubbing. Third culture (December 2016) was done 4 months after the first one and was done at random occasions without any prior hand hygiene procedure and not following any procedure involving patient contact. HCWs were observed for their compliance of hand hygiene before and after implementation of hand hygiene educational intervention

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