Hand hygiene among laboratory workers

ALP MEŞE E., Haverkate D., Voss A.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, vol.27, no.9, pp.978-980, 2006 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 27 Issue: 9
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1086/506404
  • Journal Name: Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.978-980
  • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

We performed a study to measure the compliance of laboratory personnel with different components of hand hygiene. The level of compliance at the end of duty was 100%; however, 36.7% of subjects wore a ring, 46.9% wore a watch, and 6.1% wore a bracelet. Pathogenic microorganisms were exclusively found on hands of laboratory personnel who wore jewelry. After interventions, the level of compliance with the no-jewelry policy among laboratory personnel showed sustained improvement. Efforts to improve hand hygiene should be directed not only at healthcare workers but also at laboratory personnel. © 2006 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved.