Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan MY(1), Lee KY(1), Fu YM(1), Lee B(1), Cheung SC(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital
Introduction :
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) colonization or infection in neonates is associated with significant morbidity and high mortality rate. High risk neonates in NICU have immature immune system, exposure to numerous invasive procedures, prolonged hospitalization, frequent care contact by multidisciplinary care providers to increase the potential risk of infected MRSA. In NICU, neonatal care also involves parents besides multidisciplinary personnel. Parental care involvement plays an important role in promoting family-centered care in the health and well-being of infants. There was limited hand hygiene education for parent engagement, and lack of monitoring for parents’ hand hygiene compliance in NICU. Non-compliance of parent hand hygiene was observed occasionally including hand hygiene not cover all the hand areas, less than 20 seconds. To improve this situation, our unit developed an education program to improve parent hand hygiene compliance in NICU.
Objectives :
To develop education program to improve parent hand hygiene practices in NICU and to evaluate the effects of education program for parent hand hygiene compliance.
Methodology :
The pilot program was conducted in NICU, PMH from June 2020 to March 2021 by a single group pre-test-post-test design. The education program was implemented to parents upon infant’s NICU admission. The intervention included an education pamphlet to guide when and how to perform proper hand hygiene on infant care, visual cues, learning checklist, demonstration and return demonstration of hand hygiene with the support of nurses. Direct observational assessment was used for evaluating pre- and post-education hand hygiene compliance of parents. By using self-reported pre-and post- questionnaire, the effect of strategies and education program on parent hand hygiene were evaluated for parents’ perception and feedback on the program.
Result & Outcome :
Total 14 parents were voluntary participation with completed all hand hygiene assessment, and all return of pre- and post-test questionnaires. Average parent hand hygiene compliance was below 50% (pre-education), but 100% (post-education). 78% (pre-education) to 100% (post-education) agreed strongly with the importance of appropriate hand hygiene. 71% (pre-education) to 100% (post-education) knew when to perform hand hygiene. 57% (pre-education) to 100% (post-education) knew the steps of performing hand hygiene. 78% (pre-education) to 100% (post-education) had confidence in performing hand hygiene properly. All parents’ feedback was satisfactory with the education program, improving their hand hygiene practice, and enhancing their confidence in performing proper hand hygiene when caring their infants. Parents agreed the education program was useful and important for improving parent engagement and hand hygiene compliance in NICU. Appropriate hand hygiene practice is the most effective strategy to prevent the risk of hospital acquired infection by all involved in direct patient care.
