Hand washing and gloving practices among anaesthetists.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the complinance of anaesthetists towards gloving on shifting the patients to post anaesthesia care unit and hand hygiene before leaving the PACU.

METHODS

The observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. An assigned nurse in the PACU was asked to observe the anaesthetists and mark on a proforma, the wearing of gloves during shifting a patient and later hand washing or using an alcohol rub before leaving the room.

RESULTS

A total of 496 observations were made. Overall compliance with wearing gloves during shifting of patients to PACU was 70% and practice of hand hygiene was observed in 62% of anaesthetists

CONCLUSION

Implementation of hand hygiene policy and education has positive effects among anaesthetists. Compliance to the policy remained above fifty percent. In order to further improve the situation continuous education and definitive administration measures of hand hygiene practices are suggested.