Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of a Multifaceted Intervention to Improve Hand Hygiene Among Healthcare Workers
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of a Multifaceted Intervention to Improve Hand Hygiene Among Healthcare Workers
This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effect of a multifaceted intervention including performance feedback on adherence to hand hygiene among healthcare workers. A key component of the study is to demonstrate whether improved adherence to hand hygiene leads to a reduction in rates of infection.
A cluster randomized controlled trial of the intervention will be conducted where hospital units (wards) in three hospitals will be allocated to either the intervention or usual practise. We will stratify by hospital site in order to minimize confounding by hospital-level factors. The unit of allocation, intervention, and analysis will be at the level of the hospital unit. Thirty hospital units will be randomized to either the intervention or comparison arm. We will compare adherence to hand hygiene, MRSA rates, and other outcomes between the two study arms.
A. Study units Inclusion: Medical and subspecialty units, surgical units, critical care units
Exclusion: pediatric units, neonatal intensive care units
B. Healthcare workers
Inclusion: any hospital staff with direct patient care who are affiliated with a single unit (includes registered nurses, nursing assistants, environmental aides, allied health professionals (occupational, physical, and respiratory therapists), and some physicians
C. Patients Clinical outcomes will be measured in patients on study units.