Health Associated Infections in ICU: Impact on implementation of multimodal-World Health Organization strategies to improve hand hygiene.

Abstract

Background: Hand hygiene is the main measure to decrease Infections related to healthcare and the Critical Patient Unit has a high prevalence. In Chile there aren't reports about the impact of the multimodal-World Health Organization strategies for hand hygiene in adult centers. Aim: To assess the implementation impact of this strategy at the Critical Patient Unit. Methods: Longitudinal study during the years 2019-2021 at ICU. The implementation was assessed against hand hygiene compliance guidelines, soap consumption and alcohol-based products. The impact was evaluated with the rates of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP), Catheter Related Bloodstream Infection (CRBSI) and Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) and the annual dermatitis incidence. Results: The guidelines compliance increased from 91% to 96% (p<0.05). The total product consumption increased from 0.17 to 0.31 Liters/day/bed. The use of alcohol-based products increased by 10%. HAI rates in the period from 2018 to 2021 were for VAP 6.9 (4.5–10.3), CRBSI 1.1 (0.0–1.7) and CAUTI 4.2 (3.1–5.3). The annual dermatitis incidence decreased by 30.8% (p<0.05). Conclusions: The strategy implementation benefits the decrease of infections related to healthcare and the dermatitis prevention in ICU.