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The impact of hand hygiene technique on hand hygiene compliance and microbiological efficacy

Simplifying the WHO protocol: Three steps versus six steps for performance of hand hygiene - a cluster-randomized trial

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ISRCTN
Registry ID
ISRCTN45923734
Enrollment
274
Registered
2018-05-09
Start date
2015-10-01
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2020-06-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Prevention of healthcare-associated infections and transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings. Infections and Infestations Healthcare associated infections

Interventions

Twelve wards are randomly assigned to either the 3-step technique or the conventional 6-step technique for use of hand rub. The following two hand hygiene techniques outlining the step

Sponsors

Division of Infectious Diseases & Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: All handhygiene actions performed on included wards were eligible for inclusion.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Bacterial count (measured in number of colony forming units) prior to hand rub use was less than a mean of 5log CFU.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
1. Compliance with the assigned technique is assessed using direct observations by four trained observers using an electronic case report form at random throughout the study period 2. Bacterial counts on hands of healthcare workers are measured using EN 1500 bacterial count assessment, at random throughout their routine daily activities in the study period

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Compliance with the five hand hygiene indications as outlined by the WHO is assessed using direct hand hygiene observations by four trained observers using an electronic case report form throughout the study period

Countries

Switzerland

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 23, 2026