Self-reported behaviors and perceptions of Australian paramedics in relation to hand hygiene and gloving practices in paramedic-led health care
Author(s)
Barr, Nigel
Holmes, Mark
Roiko, Anne
Dunn, Peter
Lord, Bill
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2017
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: Noncompliance with recommended hand hygiene and gloving practices by workers in the
emergency medical services may contribute to the transmission of health care–associated infections and
lead to poor patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the self-reported behaviors and perceptions
of Australian paramedics in relation to their hand hygiene and gloving practices in paramedicled
health care.
Methods: A national online survey (n = 417; 17% response rate) and 2 semistructured focus groups (6
per group) were conducted with members of Paramedics Australasia.
Results: Although most of the study participants ...
View more >Background: Noncompliance with recommended hand hygiene and gloving practices by workers in the emergency medical services may contribute to the transmission of health care–associated infections and lead to poor patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the self-reported behaviors and perceptions of Australian paramedics in relation to their hand hygiene and gloving practices in paramedicled health care. Methods: A national online survey (n = 417; 17% response rate) and 2 semistructured focus groups (6 per group) were conducted with members of Paramedics Australasia. Results: Although most of the study participants perceived hand hygiene and gloving to be important, the findings suggest poor compliance with both practices, particularly during emergency cases. All participants reported wearing gloves throughout a clinical case, changing them either at the completion of patient care or when visibly soiled or broken. Hand hygiene was missed at defined moments during patient care, possibly from the misuse of gloves. Conclusions: Paramedic hand hygiene and gloving practices require substantial improvement to lower potential transmission of pathogens and improve patient safety and clinical care. Further research is recommended to explore how to alleviate the barriers to performing in-field hand hygiene and the misuse of gloves during paramedic-led health care.
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View more >Background: Noncompliance with recommended hand hygiene and gloving practices by workers in the emergency medical services may contribute to the transmission of health care–associated infections and lead to poor patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the self-reported behaviors and perceptions of Australian paramedics in relation to their hand hygiene and gloving practices in paramedicled health care. Methods: A national online survey (n = 417; 17% response rate) and 2 semistructured focus groups (6 per group) were conducted with members of Paramedics Australasia. Results: Although most of the study participants perceived hand hygiene and gloving to be important, the findings suggest poor compliance with both practices, particularly during emergency cases. All participants reported wearing gloves throughout a clinical case, changing them either at the completion of patient care or when visibly soiled or broken. Hand hygiene was missed at defined moments during patient care, possibly from the misuse of gloves. Conclusions: Paramedic hand hygiene and gloving practices require substantial improvement to lower potential transmission of pathogens and improve patient safety and clinical care. Further research is recommended to explore how to alleviate the barriers to performing in-field hand hygiene and the misuse of gloves during paramedic-led health care.
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Journal Title
American Journal of Infection Control
Volume
45
Issue
7
Subject
Nursing
Health services and systems
Public health