Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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A Comparative Study Exploring The Attitudes Of Doctors And
Nurses Towards Hand-Hygiene And Alcohol-Based Hand-
Rubs
Authors:
Barbara Slevin RGN, Cert Perioperative Nursing, PG dip
Infection Control, MSc (Hon). Infection Control, Clinical Nurse
Manager, MWRH, Limerick.
Tel: (061) 482183, Fax: (061) 485214,
email: Barbra.Slevin@mailh.hse.ie
Steve Pitman RGN, BSc (Hon), MSc, Lecturer RCSI
Toney Thomas BSc(N), MA, PG dip: IC, MBA(HSM), FNMRCSI.
Beaumont Hospital.
Background and Context:
Hospital-acquired infections place an enormous burden on the
health service. Hands readily transmit cross-infection. Handhygiene
substantially reduces the risk of cross-infection within the
health-service. Attitudes, behaviours, poor compliance and barriers
exist towards hand-hygiene. Alcohol-based hand-rubs, however,
counteract this problem. They are quick, effective and userfriendly.
Aim:
The aim of this comparative-study is to explore and compare
compliance, perceived-behaviours and attitudes and barriers
towards hand-hygiene and Alcohol-Based Hand-Rubs between
doctors and nurses.
Methodology and analysis:
A quantitative positivist methodology, utilising a cross–sectional
design was used. Ethical approval was granted from the
participating hospital. Data collection consisted of a validated
attitudinal survey comprising of a five-point Likert-scale. This study
was conducted in a large, Acute, Irish Teaching hospital. A
stratified random sample (N=423) achieved representation of
doctors and nurses. Data were analysed descriptively and
crosstabulated. Chi-square (Pearson’s) and Mann-Whitney-U
statistical tests, using SPSS version 14.0.were conducted.
Outcome:
Several statistically significant differences between doctors and
nurses attitudes, behaviours, self-reported compliance and barriers
towards hand-hygiene and ABHRs were identified, (p < .05).
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