Determinants of hand hygiene barriers among nursing personnel – preliminary result

Aim of the study
Proper hand hygiene and disinfecting procedure is one of the most important procedures that can limit hospital infections. Insufficient compliance with hand hygiene is the result of improper work organization on the unit. The aim of the study was to analyse the opinion of nursing personnel about determinants of hand hygiene barriers.

Material and methods
The study group consisted of nursing staff working in highly specialized departments. The study uses the method of a diagnostic survey. The research tool was a questionnaire prepared on the basis of the study „Nurses perception of reason for persistent low rates in hand hygiene compliance”.

Results
Ninety-two respondents took part in the study. The dominant group of respondents were women (80%), and the age of the medical personnel ranged from 23 to 59 years (mean 40.02; SD ± 11.27 years). The average length of professional experience was 16.21 years, with a mean standard deviation 11.64. The most significant barriers to proper hand hygiene were statement 7 - regarding skin irritation with disinfectants (22%) and statement 8 - insufficient availability of hand lotions (22%).

Conclusions
The age, length of professional experience, and level of education did not have a significant influence on the respondent’s answers. The lack of an adequate number of nursing staff and work overload was not a barrier in hand hygiene.