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2^nd International Conference on Nursing & Healthcare

November 17-19, 2014 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago-North Shore Conference Center, USA

Michele Walters

Posters: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to determine hand hygiene practices during an interprofessional simulation event. A pre and post evaluation of hand hygiene was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the World Health Organization?s (2009) Your 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene during simulated events. Methodology: A convenience sample of Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) students were evaluated on hand hygiene practices during an interprofessional simulation. Last semester ADN students were evaluated by direct supervision of simulated patients (first semester ADN students) for hand hygiene with direct patient contact and contact with equipment in the patient care areas. A baseline sample was obtained in fall 2013, which identified results lower than nationally reported hand hygiene practices of fifty percent. During spring 2014, Your 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene was introduced in a lecture format and informational cards posted in hand hygiene areas. Results: Implementation of Your 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene during the last semester of the ADN program increased hand hygiene practices with direct patient contact and contact with equipment. Students were more likely to perform hand hygiene with direct patient contact than contact with equipment in the environment. Implications: The importance of hand hygiene needs to be reinforced throughout a nursing program and after employment. Future studies need to identify strategies to improve hand hygiene compliance and sustainability of hand hygiene programs.

Biography :

Michele Walters completed her DNP in 2011 at Frontier Nursing University. She has been a nurse educator for thirteen years with a special interest in prevention of disease. She is a practicing Family Nurse Practitioner that enjoys international work with nursing students providing medical care to orphanages and schools each summer in La Digue, Haiti.