Hand hygiene is widely recognized as the most important measure to prevent the spread of infection. Despite that evidence, compliance with hand hygiene remains low. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has released the Guide to Hand Hygiene Programs for Infection Prevention, now available free for download.
The guide is designed as a best-practices primer for new infection preventionists or non-infection prevention colleagues who wish to understand how multimodal strategies are applied as part of hand hygiene programs. This guide represents input and expertise from a broad array of experts from practice and research settings.
According to lead editor, Timothy Landers, RN, CNP, PhD, CIC, a multimodal program is essential for hand hygiene program success. Key components include education and training, effective products, providing cultural and leadership support for hand hygiene efforts, and monitoring. “It’s when all those components of hand hygiene programs are working together effectively that we see the biggest change,” says Dr. Landers.
The purpose of this guide is to provide an overview of hand hygiene programs and their key components. In addition to a valuable resources section, chapters include topics such as: regulatory oversight and public reporting, hand hygiene products, hand hygiene monitoring, program implementation, and strategies for behavior change. Seven sections and additional resources examine the historical and regulatory context for hand hygiene programs and delve into the latest science.
The latest in the series of APIC Implementation Guides, Guide to Hand Hygiene Programs for Infection Prevention was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from GOJO, a long-term APIC Strategic Partner.
APIC Implementation Guides (formerly Elimination Guides) provide practical, evidence-based strategies for surveillance and elimination of infection. Implementation Guides are created to provide infection preventionists with practical, “how-to” information and online tools and resources that encompass the latest research and regulatory requirements. Open access ensures that this information, critical to the care of patients, is available to the widest possible audience.