Hand hygiene compliance in companion animal clinics and practices in Switzerland: An observational study.

Schmidt, Janne S; Hartnack, Sonja; Schuller, Simone; Kuster, Stefan P; Willi, Barbara (2021). Hand hygiene compliance in companion animal clinics and practices in Switzerland: An observational study. Veterinary record, 189(1), e307. British Veterinary Association 10.1002/vetr.307

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BACKGROUND

Hand hygiene (HH) is one of the most important measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Data on HH compliance in companion animal veterinary institutions in Europe are sparse.

METHODS

This observational study assessed HH according to WHO standards in three large and two medium-sized clinics and two primary care practices in Switzerland. Associations with HH indication, professional group, clinical area and institution were determined using a generalized linear mixed effects model.

RESULTS

Based on 2056 observations, overall HH compliance [95% confidence interval] was 32% [30%-34%]. HH compliance was highest in the consultation area (41% [38%-45%]) and after contact to body fluids (45% [40%-50%]), and lowest in the pre-OR area (20% [15%-24%]) and before clean/aseptic procedures (12% [9%-15%]). Veterinarians showed a higher HH compliance (37% [34%-40%]) than veterinary nurses (25% [22%-28%]). HH compliance was lower before clean/aseptic procedures compared to all other indications (all p < 0.015 except 'before touching a patient' in medium-sized clinics/practices, p = 0.095) and higher in the consultation area compared to all other areas in large clinics (all p < 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Effective HH training should urgently be promoted for all veterinary personnel with special emphasis on the importance of HH before clean/aseptic procedures.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine (DKV) > Small Animal Clinic
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine (DKV)
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine (DKV) > Small Animal Clinic > Small Animal Clinic, Internal Medicine

UniBE Contributor:

Schuller, Simone

Subjects:

600 Technology > 630 Agriculture

ISSN:

0042-4900

Publisher:

British Veterinary Association

Language:

English

Submitter:

Simone Schuller

Date Deposited:

26 Apr 2021 09:48

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 15:50

Publisher DOI:

10.1002/vetr.307

PubMed ID:

33870536

BORIS DOI:

10.48350/155943

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/155943

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