Table 2 Descriptive survey findings from registered nurses’ and nursing aides’ knowledge and perceived behaviour concerning hand hygiene and infection preventions
Percent of “Always” or “Often” (Group means and 95% confidence intervals) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete sample (N = 165) | Nursing Aides/ Students (n = 57) | Registered Nurses (n = 80) | ||||
1. What knowledge do nurses have concerning hand hygiene? | ||||||
Could wearing gloves substitute a hand rub? | 6.1% | ±3.7% | 3.8% | ±5.3% | 10.0% | ±6.6% |
Should you rub your hands after taking off gloves? | 81.8% | ±5.9% | 86.5% | ±9.4% | 81.3% | ±8.6% |
Do you ask the registered nurse/geriatric nurse questions concerning hygiene? | 46.1% | ±7.6% | 63.5% a | ±13.2% | 30.0% a | ±10.1% |
Do you ask the nursing aide/nursing assistant questions concerning hygiene? | 6.7% | ±3.8% | 7.7% | ±7.3% | 3.8% | ±4.2% |
Do you ask the hygiene representative nurse questions concerning hygiene? | 29.1% | ±7.0% | 15.4% b | ±9.9% | 35.0% b | ±10.5% |
Do you ask the nursing students questions concerning hygiene? | 1.8% | ±2.0% | 1.9% | ±3.8% | 1.3% | ±2.5% |
Do you ask the residential nurse questions concerning hygiene? | 32.7% | ±7.2% | 36.5% | ±13.2% | 33.8% | ±10.4% |
Do you ask the director of nursing questions concerning hygiene? | 21.8% | ±6.3% | 13.5% | ±9.4% | 21.3% | ±9.0% |
Do you ask the executive director questions concerning hygiene? | 9.7% | ±4.5% | 7.7% | ±7.3% | 6.3% | ±5.3% |
Do you ask the general practitioner questions concerning hygiene? | 7.9% | ±4.1% | 1.9% | ±3.8% | 11.3% | ±7.0% |
2. Which behaviours do nurses report in relation to hand hygiene? | ||||||
Is it possible to disinfect your hands while taking care of a resident? | 72.7% | ±6.8% | 65.4% | ±13.1% | 75.0% | ±9.5% |
Do you wear hand or arm jewellery during work? | 20.6% | ±6.2% | 19.2% | ±10.8% | 26.3% | ±9.7% |
Does the use of gloves damage your skin? | 5.5% | ±3.5% | 9.6% | ±8.1% | 3.8% | ±4.2% |
Do you apply the content of the last hygiene training in your daily work? | 83.6% | ±5.7% | 82.7% | ±10.4% | 83.8% | ±8.1% |
3. What do nurses report about their compliance with hygiene standards? | ||||||
Do you apply the hygiene standards? | 82.4% | ±5.8% | 82.7% | ±10.4% | 82.5% | ±8.4% |
Have you ever not disinfected your hands for personal reasons? | 3.6% | ±2.9% | 7.7% | ±7.3% | 2.5% | ±3.4% |
Possible reason: “I had a skin defect.” | 1.8% | ±2.0% | 3.8% | ±5.3% | 1.3% | ±2.5% |
Possible reason: “I was under time pressure” | 4.8% | ±3.3% | 3.8% | ±5.3% | 5.0% | ±4.8% |
Possible reason: “I didn’t think of it.” | 3.6% | ±2.9% | 1.9% | ±3.8% | 6.3% | ±5.3% |
Possible reason: “When my hands are moist with hand rub, I cannot put on the gloves.” | 17.0% | ±5.7% | 15.4% | ±9.9% | 20.0% | ±8.8% |
Possible reason: “My skin does not tolerate the hand rub.” | 5.5% | ±3.5% | 11.5% | ±8.8% | 3.8% | ±4.2% |
Possible reason: “I wear gloves instead of disinfecting my hands.” | 6.7% | ±3.8% | 7.7% | ±7.3% | 8.8% | ±6.2% |
Is adherence to hygiene standards discussed during staff handovers? (For example, in case of existing infectious diseases) | 58.8% | ±7.5% | 65.4% | ±13.1% | 58.8% | ±10.9% |
4. What are nurses’ perceptions of organisational structures and processes to improve infection prevention? | ||||||
Are suitable gloves always available in your residential area? | 93.9% | ±3.7% | 92.3% | ±7.3% | 95.0% | ±4.8% |
Is there always an accessible stock of gloves on your residential area? | 95.2% | ±3.3% | 92.3% | ±7.3% | 97.5% | ±3.4% |
Is there an accessible stock- pile of protective clothing (gown, mask, and cap) in your residential area? | 79.4% | ±6.2% | 78.8% | ±11.2% | 77.5% | ±9.2% |
Do you remember a situation that prevented you from doing a hand rub for operational reasons? | 0.6% | ±1.2% | 0.0% | ±0.0% | 1.3% | ±2.5% |
Yes, because there was no hand rub available on the corridor of the residential area. | 3.0% | ±2.6% | 0.0% | ±0.0% | 5.0% | ±4.8% |
Yes, because there was no hand rub on the care cart. | 0.6% | ±1.2% | 0.0% | ±0.0% | 1.3% | ±2.5% |
Yes, because there was no hand rub in the work room. | 1.2% | ±1.7% | 0.0% | ±0.0% | 1.3% | ±2.5% |
Yes, because there was no hand rub in the community room. | 4.2% | ±3.1% | 1.9% | ±3.8% | 7.5% | ±5.8% |
Yes, because there was no hand rub at the nursing station. | 1.8% | ±2.0% | 0.0% | ±0.0% | 2.5% | ±3.4% |
Yes, because there was no hand rub in the resident’s room. | 19.4% | ±6.1% | 23.1% | ±11.6% | 20.0% | ±8.8% |
5. Do nurses see nursing managers as role models regarding infection prevention? | 66.7% | ±7.2% | 73.1% | ±12.2% | 63.8% | ±10.6% |