Monitorização da higienização das mãos: Observação direta versus taxa autorreportada

Abstract

Hand hygiene is one of the main measure to control infections. This study aimed to compare hand hygiene adherence rates in an intensive care unit obtained through direct observation and self-reported compliance. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a university hospital between September and December of 2013. Data were collected through direct observation of healthcare workers from medical and nursing staff and the application of a structured questionnaire to identify self-reported compliance rates. Descriptive and univariate analysis were performed. A total of 1,935 opportunities for practicing hand hygiene was obtained. The self-reported hand hygiene adherence rate was 87.9% and observed adherence was 19.0% (p < 0.001). Simple hand hygiene was reported as preferred by 70.2% of healthcare workers, followed by 12.3% for hand rubbing with alcohol and 17.5% for both (simple hand hygiene followed by hand rubbing with alcohol), such rates being similar for self-reported and observed rates. The self-reported hand hygiene rates were overestimated and the rates obtained through direct observation were low, although not distinct from the world scenario, reaffirming the need to implement continuous strategies to improve these.