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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