Interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance in patient care

Background Health care‐associated infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Hand hygiene is regarded as an effective preventive measure. This is an update of a previously published review. Objectives To assess the short‐ and long‐term success of strategies to improve compliance to recommendations for hand hygiene, and to determine whether an increase in hand hygiene compliance can reduce rates of health care‐associated infection. Search methods We conducted electronic searches of the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL. We conducted the searches from November 2009 to October 2016. Selection criteria We included randomised trials, non‐randomised trials, controlled before‐after studies, and interrupted time series analyses (ITS) that evaluated any intervention to improve compliance with hand hygiene using soap and water or alcohol‐based hand rub (ABHR), or both. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently screened citations for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed risks of bias for each included study. Meta‐analysis was not possible, as there was substantial heterogeneity across studies. We assessed the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach and present the results narratively in a 'Summary of findings' table. Main results This review includes 26 studies: 14 randomised trials, two non‐randomised trials and 10 ITS studies. Most studies were conducted in hospitals or long‐term care facilities in different countries, and collected data from a variety of healthcare workers. Fourteen studies assessed the success of different combinations of strategies recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to improve hand hygiene compliance. Strategies consisted of the following: increasing the availability of ABHR, different types of education for staff, reminders (written and verbal), different types of performance feedback, administrative support, and staff involvement. Six studies assessed different types of performance feedback, two studies evaluated education, three studies evaluated cues such as signs or scent, and one study assessed placement of ABHR. Observed hand hygiene compliance was measured in all but three studies which reported product usage. Eight studies also reported either infection or colonisation rates. All studies had two or more sources of high or unclear risks of bias, most often associated with blinding or independence of the intervention. Multimodal interventions that include some but not all strategies recommended in the WHO guidelines may slightly improve hand hygiene compliance (five studies; 56 centres) and may slightly reduce infection rates (three studies; 34 centres), low certainty of evidence for both outcomes. Multimodal interventions that include all strategies recommended in the WHO guidelines may slightly reduce colonisation rates (one study; 167 centres; low certainty of evidence). It is unclear whether the intervention improves hand hygiene compliance (five studies; 184 centres) or reduces infection (two studies; 16 centres) because the certainty of this evidence is very low. Multimodal interventions that contain all strategies recommended in the WHO guidelines plus additional strategies may slightly improve hand hygiene compliance (six studies; 15 centres; low certainty of evidence). It is unclear whether this intervention reduces infection rates (one study; one centre; very low certainty of evidence). Performance feedback may improve hand hygiene compliance (six studies; 21 centres; low certainty of evidence). This intervention probably slightly reduces infection (one study; one centre) and colonisation rates (one study; one centre) based on moderate certainty of evidence. Education may improve hand hygiene compliance (two studies; two centres), low certainty of evidence. Cues such as signs or scent may slightly improve hand hygiene compliance (three studies; three centres), low certainty of evidence. Placement of ABHR close to point of use probably slightly improves hand hygiene compliance (one study; one centre), moderate certainty of evidence. Authors' conclusions With the identified variability in certainty of evidence, interventions, and methods, there remains an urgent need to undertake methodologically robust research to explore the effectiveness of multimodal versus simpler interventions to increase hand hygiene compliance, and to identify which components of multimodal interventions or combinations of strategies are most effective in a particular context

Latent tuberculosis infection screening of adult close contacts in London: a cost-utility analysis

Background: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines in 2016 recommend tuberculin skin test (TST) at a 5 mm induration size cut-off for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening of adult close contacts of active tuberculosis (TB) cases. An alternative would be to use an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) which has a higher specificity, such as the QuantiFERON-TB Gold in Tube (QFT-GIT) or T-SPOT.TB (T-SPOT). We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the screening and treatment of LTBI in adult close contacts with various combinations of these tests in a representative London cohort. Methods: Clinical data of adult close contacts of pulmonary TB cases who were recommended to receive TST and IGRA in a TB clinic in London between 2008 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. A Markov decision analytic model, using an NHS perspective and lifetime horizon, was used to compare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) associated with 7 screening strategies followed by chemoprophylaxis: TST alone, IGRA (QFT-GIT or T-SPOT) alone, TST positive followed by IGRA, and TST negative followed by IGRA. Future costs and QALYs were discounted at 3.5% per year. Results: 381 asymptomatic close contacts aged 18 to 65 years were included in this study. The mean age was 35.2 years and the majority (75.3%) were BCG vaccinated. In the base-case analysis, QFT-GIT was the most cost-effective strategy with £6876 per QALY gained, compared to TST positive followed by QFT-GIT strategy. QFT-GIT alone averted 1.6 TB cases per 1000 contacts compared to TST positive followed by QFT-GIT. Conclusion: Of the considered testing strategies, the QFT-GIT alone is preferable for LTBI screening in adult close contacts of pulmonary TB cases in London

P109 The impact of tb nice guidance on resource capacity and contact screening outcomes: a retrospective, observational study within a central london tb centre

Introduction and objectives: Recently published NICE guidance has significantly expanded the approach to adult tuberculosis (TB) contact screening by recommending tuberculin skin testing (TST) for pulmonary and laryngeal contacts only, increasing the age threshold for screening and treatment to 65 years and defining a positive TST as induration ≥5 mm, regardless of BCG vaccination status. Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) is recommended only in situations where more evidence of infection is needed. Our institution has previously adopted an approach comprising a chest radiograph, TST and IGRA. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of NICE guidance on screening outcomes and resource capacity by applying the criteria to a well-defined historic cohort of TB contacts. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study carried out at a central London teaching hospital. The study population comprised 593 consecutive, adult TB contacts screened between 1/1/2008 and 31/12/2010. Data was collected through a retrospective review of TST and IGRA tests. Results: Of the 593 contacts screened, 358 pulmonary contacts had TST and IGRA results. 56% had a TST ≥5 mm, regardless of BCG status, qualifying them for treatment as per the new NICE guidance. Of these, 61% were IGRA negative (discordant) and may therefore include false positive diagnoses, resulting in the potential for over treatment. In those with TST 5–14 mm, discordance rises to 84%. Conversely, 6% of those with TST < 5 mm are IGRA positive representing potentially missed cases. 16% of screened individuals were contacts of extra pulmonary TB. Not screening this group would reduce the demand for outpatient appointments by 151* in our cohort. In contrast, testing contacts > 35 years would require capacity for an additional 165* appointments. Furthermore, there were 162 additional LTBI cases in comparison to previous guidance requiring an additional 648* appointments. 72% of this group were IGRA negative. (*Approximate) Conclusions: Our results show the revised guidance will require increased resource capacity largely due to more patients being classified as having latent TB. In addition to workforce planning to meet these demands, further debate is needed to decide if this new approach truly reduces the incidence of active TB or results in unnecessary treatment

Survey to explore understanding of the principles of aseptic technique: Qualitative content analysis with descriptive analysis of confidence and training

BACKGROUND: In many countries, aseptic procedures are undertaken by nurses in the general ward setting, but variation in practice has been reported, and evidence indicates that the principles underpinning aseptic technique are not well understood. METHODS: A survey was conducted, employing a brief, purpose-designed, self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: The response rate was 72%. Of those responding, 65% of nurses described aseptic technique in terms of the procedure used to undertake it, and 46% understood the principles of asepsis. The related concepts of cleanliness and sterilization were frequently confused with one another. Additionally, 72% reported that they not had received training for at least 5 years; 92% were confident of their ability to apply aseptic technique; and 90% reported that they had not been reassessed since their initial training. Qualitative analysis confirmed a lack of clarity about the meaning of aseptic technique. CONCLUSION: Nurses' understanding of aseptic technique and the concepts of sterility and cleanliness is inadequate, a finding in line with results of previous studies. This knowledge gap potentially places patients at risk. Nurses' understanding of the principles of asepsis could be improved. Further studies should establish the generalizability of the study findings. Possible improvements include renewed emphasis during initial nurse education, greater opportunity for updating knowledge and skills post-qualification, and audit of practice

Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) conversion, reversion and implications for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection using a multimodality approach: a retrospective, observational study within a central London TB centre

Introduction and Objectives Accurate diagnosis & management of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among TB contacts is critical for both the health of infected individuals and prevention of disease transmission. Interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) measure T cell release of interferon-gamma following stimulation by antigens not confounded by the BCG vaccination. The current NICE guidelines recommend their use following a positive TST. In addition some centres have moved to a single step IGRA test for LTBI. Our institution adopts a triple investigation approach comprising a chest radiograph (CXR), TST and IGRA on presentation followed by a rescreen if the TST & IGRA are discordant or if pulmonary contacts are screened prior to 6 weeks. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of IGRA conversion and reversion in rescreened asymptomatic TB contacts that attended our centre. Methods This was a retrospective, observational study carried out at a central London teaching hospital. The study population comprised 593 consecutive, adult TB contacts screened between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2010. Data were collected through retrospective review of chest radiographs, TST & IGRA tests. Results Of 498 asymptomatic TB contacts screened, 460 had both an initial TST and IGRA performed (Abstract P13 figure 1). 81 (17.7%) contacts had discordant TST & IGRA results. 52 (64%) of these discordant cases had a positive TST & Negative IGRA; these patients would have been discharged under NICE guidelines however, our rescreen revealed 9 (17%) positive 2nd IGRAs that is, conversion. Three of these patients were under 35 and would therefore by eligible for chemoprophylaxis. Twenty-nine (36%) of the discordant cases had a negative TST and positive IGRA however, 8 (28%) of these IGRAs reverted to negative. It is important to note that if following a single-step IGRA screening protocol (ie, without a rescreen) these cases may have been commenced on chemoprophylaxis unnecessarily (four of these reversion cases were under the age of 35). Conclusions Our results show that adoption of either a sequential TST + ve/IGRA approach or single IGRA approach can result in a significant number of false negative LTBI diagnoses due to IGRA conversion. Conversely, we have also shown that an IGRA rescreen because of discordant TST/IGRA tests can improve LTBI diagnostic specificity and therefore reduce unnecessary chemoprophylaxis due to the effect of reversion

Impact of age, performance and athletic event on injury rates in master athletics - First results from an ongoing prospective study

Objectives: Recent studies have identified rates of injuries in young elite athletes during major athletic events. However, no such data exist on master athletes. The aim of this study was to assess incidence and types of injuries during the 2012 European Veteran Athletics Championships as a function of age, performance and athletic discipline. Methods: Report forms were used to identify injured athletes and injury types. Analysis included age (grouped in five-year bands beginning at age 35 years), athletic event, and age-graded performance. Results: Of the 3154 athletes (53.2 years (SD 12.3)) that participated in the championships (1004 (31.8%) women, 2150 (68.2%) men), 76 were registered as injured; 2.8% of the female (29), 2.2% of the male (47) athletes. There were no fractures. One injury required operative treatment (Achilles tendon rupture). Injury rates were significantly higher in the sprint/middle distance/jumps than the throws, long distance and decathlon/heptathlon groups (Χ² (3)=16.187, P=0.001). There was no significant interrelationship with age (Χ² (12)=6.495, P=0.889) or age-graded performance (Χ² (3)=3.563, P=0.313). Conclusions: The results suggest that healthy master athletes have a low risk of injury that does not increase with age or performance

Visual Degree of Doneness Has an Impact on Palatability Ratings of Consumers Who Had Differing Degree of Doneness Preferences

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of feeding consumers of varying degree of doneness preferences steaks cooked to multiple degrees of doneness on their perceptions of beef palatability. Study Description: Paired Low Choice frozen steaks from the posterior half of the strip loin were randomly assigned a degree of doneness of rare (140°F), medium-rare (145°F), medium (160°F), medium-well (165°F), or well-done (170°F). Consumer panelists, prescreened to participate in panels based on their degree of doneness preference, were served steak samples cooked to each of the five degrees of doneness under low-intensity red incandescent lighting to mask any degree of doneness differences among samples. Next, consumers were served steak samples under white incandescent lighting, with white fluorescent background lighting. Pre-screening consumers for degree of doneness preference allowed for a measure of the impact of “missing” the consumer’s ideal degree of doneness and quantification of the impact of both undercooking and overcooking steaks on consumer beef palatability ratings. The Bottom Line: When steaks are overcooked, palatability ratings decrease; however, undercooking has a positive effect on palatability perception regardless of the consumer’s degree of doneness preference