[Factors that influence compliance with hand hygiene in healthcare professionals: A concept mapping study]

Abstract

Objective: To identify factors that may influence hand hygiene compliance by professional category and clinical department.

Materials and methods: Use was made of concept mapping methodology, a tool that combines a qualitative analysis with a quantitative statistical analysis, in order to identify the most influential and important factors for the fulfilment of hand hygiene in 2 clinical departments (Infectious and General Surgery) of the Hospital del Mar.

Results: The study included a total of 42 volunteer professionals from General Surgery (6 doctors and 10 nurses) and from Infectious Diseases (11 doctors and 10 nurses) clinical departments, as well as 5 hospital porters. High correlations of influential and important factors for hand hygiene compliance were observed between nurses and doctors in the Infectious Diseases Department (r=0.93 vs. r=0.69, respectively). In contrast, the correlation was lower among surgical professionals (r=-0.17 for influence and r=0.51 for importance). Professionals identified the most influential factors in compliance as training and adequate resources, taking into account professional category and clinical department.

Conclusion: The design of interventions to improve compliance with hand hygiene should take into account the perceptions of different professionals in order to adapt actions to each professional group.

Keywords: Actitud; Attitude; Control de infecciones; Focus groups; Grupos focales; Hand hygiene; Health personnel; Higiene de las manos; Infection control; Personal de salud.