Effectiveness of Hand Hygiene Interventions in Reducing Microbial Contamination on the Hands of Healthcare Workers in Critical Care Units
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v21n5.4445Keywords:
Hand hygiene, Hand swab, Critical care units, Healthcare workersAbstract
Adherence to hand hygiene guidelines is paramount in preventing the transmission of nosocomial infections within healthcare settings. Healthcare workers play a critical role in maintaining aseptic conditions and preventing the spread of pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of hand hygiene in reducing microbial contamination on the hands of healthcare workers in critical care units, including the Intensive Care Unit, Neurological Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Surgical Intensive Care Unit. A convenient sampling method was utilized to select 44 healthcare workers for the study. Microbial contamination on the hands of these healthcare workers was assessed before and after hand hygiene. Swab samples were collected from the dominant hands and analyzed using microbiological techniques, including culturing on nutrient agar and MacConkey agar, Gram staining and biochemical tests. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in microbial load on the hands of healthcare workers after they practiced hand hygiene (mean before hand hygiene: 6.57 x 108 ± 2.31 x 108 CFU/mL compared to after hand hygiene: 2.11 x 108 ± 1.52 x 108 CFU/mL), p = 0.001. Before the intervention, a large number of hand swab samples had microbial contamination, including potentially pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. However, after the intervention, no microbial growth was observed on any hand sample. In conclusion, these findings unequivocally demonstrate the crucial role of effective hand hygiene in preventing the transmission of nosocomial infections within healthcare settings. Consistent adherence to hand hygiene guidelines is essential for maintaining a safe and hygienic environment for patients and healthcare workers alike.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Jesseca Juri, Dr. Siti Marwanis Anua, Siti Suraiya, Nurzafirah Mazlan, Muhammad Azim Abdullah
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