It Is Time for Action: Improving Hand Hygiene in Hospitals
Authors: John M. Boyce
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1999)

Editorials19 January 1999It Is Time for Action: Improving Hand Hygiene in HospitalsJohn M. Boyce, MDJohn M. Boyce, MDMiriam Hospital; Providence, RI 02906Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-130-2-199901190-00011 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail As delivery of medical care moves increasingly to outpatient settings, patients who require hospitalization have more acute illness and heightened susceptibility to nosocomial infections. Such infections result in substantial morbidity and are estimated to cause or contribute to 80 000 deaths annually in the United States (1). Many nosocomial infections are caused by pathogens transmitted from one patient to another by way of health care workers who have not washed their hands between patients (2, 3). Although Semmelweis (4) demonstrated 150 years ago that mortality related to hospital-acquired infections could be reduced when health care personnel washed their hands with ...References1. Jarvis WR. Selected aspects of the socioeconomic impact of nosocomial infections: morbidity, mortality, cost, and prevention. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1996;17:552-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Casewell M, Phillips I. Hands as route of transmission for Klebsiella species. Br Med J. 1977;2:1315-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Larson E. A causal link between handwashing and risk of infection? Examination of the evidence. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1988;9:28-36. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Carter KC, tr. The Etiology, Concept, and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever. Madison: Univ of Wisconsin Pr; 1983:1. Google Scholar5. Albert RK, Condie F. Hand-washing patterns in medical intensive-care units. N Engl J Med. 1981;24:1465-6. CrossrefGoogle Scholar6. Larson E. 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Pettinger A, Nettleman MD. Epidemiology of isolation precautions. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1991;12:303-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. Pittet D, Mourouga P, Perneger TV. Compliance with handwashing in a teaching hospital. Members of the Infection Control Program. Ann Intern Med. 1999;130:126-30. LinkGoogle Scholar13. Quraishi ZA, McGuckin M, Blais FX. Duration of handwashing in intensive care units: a descriptive study. Am J Infect Control. 1984;12:83-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar14. Larson EL, Eke PI, Wilder MP, Laughon BE. Quantity of soap as a variable in handwashing. Infect Control. 1987;8:371-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar15. Rotter ML. Hand washing and hand disinfection.. In: Mayhall CG, eds. Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1996:1052-68. Google Scholar16. Seto WH. Staff compliance with infection control practices: application of behavioural sciences. J Hosp Infect. 1995;30 Suppl 107-15. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar17. Larson EL. APIC guideline for handwashing and hand antisepsis in health care settings. Am J Infect Control. 1995;23:251-69. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar18. Larson EL, Eke PI, Laughon BE. Efficacy of alcohol-based hand rinses under frequent-use conditions. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1986;30:542-4. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar19. Voss A, Widmer AF. No time for handwashing!? Handwashing versus alcoholic rub: can we afford 100% compliance? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1997;18:205-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar20. Dubbert PM, Dolce J, Richter W, Miller M, Chapman SW. Increasing ICU staff handwashing: effects of education and group feedback. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1990;11:191-3. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Miriam Hospital; Providence, RI 02906Corresponding Author: John M. Boyce, MD, Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906. 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MortimerHospital infection prevention and control: A global perspectiveWashing Our Hands of the Matter 19 January 1999Volume 130, Issue 2Page: 153-155KeywordsHealth careHealth care policy reportsHealth care providersHygieneIntensive care unitsNosocomial infectionsObservational studiesPathogensPatientsSoaps Issue Published: 19 January 1999 CopyrightCopyright © 1999 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...