
%0 Journal Article
%A van de Mortel, Thea 
%A Murgo, Margherita 
%T Hand hygiene competence in the intensive care unit
%J Healthcare Infection
%D 2005/06/01
%V 10
%N 2
%P 46-50
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/HI05046
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/HI05046 
%X The hand hygiene knowledge and competence of staff in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) was measured at a 450 bed Australian metropolitan teaching hospital. Staff working in or entering the ICU to perform patient care over a two-month period were asked to complete a questionnaire that examined their knowledge of current hand hygiene policy and procedures. Hand hygiene practice was also assessed by observation. Sixty-six staff participated, including 50 registered nurses (RNs), eight medical staff (MOs), five surgical dressers (SDs) and three radiographers (X-Ray technicians). Radiographers were excluded from the statistical analysis due to low numbers participating. Scores on the knowledge component of the questionnaire ranged from 5-10/10 (mean 7.39 ± 1.04 std dev). Scores on the practical component ranged from 3-6/6 (mean 5.83 ± 0.56). Mean knowledge scores by profession were: 7.75 (MOs), 7.38 (RNs), and 6.60 (SDs). Mean competence scores by profession were: 5.75 (MOs), 5.88 (RNs), and 5.80 (SDs). There were no significant differences in hand hygiene knowledge (p = 0.178) and hand hygiene competence between professions (p = 0.780). The greatest knowledge deficit lay in what constituted a routine handwash and in which situations routine handwashing was required. 
