Perception and Perceived Effective Strategies to Improve Hand Hygiene Practice among Inpatient Nurses and Doctors in Miri Hospital

Abstract

Introduction:

Hand hygiene has been listed as one of the standard precautions to hinder the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms and is crucial in controlling the transmission. Healthcare workers’ hands used to save human lives, yet also the most common vehicles for the transmission of infections. This study aimed to explore and compare the perception and perceived effective strategies to improve hand hygiene practice among inpatient nurses and doctors of Miri Hospital.

Methods:

We carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study over four months. A self-administered questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization, was distributed to inpatient nurses and doctors of Miri Hospital with formal consent and was collected once they have completed it.

Results:

Patient’s reminder to healthcare workers deemed to be the least effective strategy and provision of clear, simple visible hand hygiene instructions to be the most effective strategy. There is a difference in perception of hand hygiene between doctors and nurses and also healthcare workers from good and poor compliance of hand hygiene.

Conclusion:

Hospital-associated infection is a preventable condition with good hand hygiene practice as the primary measure for prevention. It is recommended that hand hygiene instructions in Miri Hospital can be updated and be made available in more areas of the hospital.