ArticleAntimicrobial resistance and infection control2025
Does a multimodal educational intervention involving pre-intern 'hand hygiene covert observers' improve hand hygiene compliance among medical interns?
Article in Antimicrobial resistance and infection control, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundHand hygiene is vital for infection prevention, yet compliance among medical staff remains low. This study assessed whether training medical students using a multimodal educational intervention, including their roles as 'hand hygiene covert observers' (HHCOs) in their pre-internship phase, could improve hand hygiene compliance during their internship.
methodsA retrospective study was conducted at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, comparing two consecutive cohorts of medical interns: cohort A (historical control, starting July 1, 2024) and cohort B (intervention group, starting July 1, 2025). Cohort B participated in a half-day training workshop and covertly observed hand hygiene compliance as HHCOs during a 19-day pre-internship clinical attachment in June 2025. Hand hygiene compliance observed by HHCOs was compared with infection control nurses (ICNs) observations collected concurrently. Additionally, hand hygiene compliance among cohorts A and B was monitored by ICNs using World Health Organization audit tools. Baseline knowledge and attitudes of cohort B regarding hand hygiene were assessed by questionnaire.
resultsSeventy-four pre-interns in cohort B completed the baseline questionnaire; 38 (51.4%) identified alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) as the most effective hand hygiene method, while 36 (48.6%) selected soap and water. Positive attitudes were evident, with 54 (73.0%) strongly agreeing on hand hygiene's role in preventing healthcare-associated infections and 52 (70.3%) strongly agreeing that compliance impacts patient safety. During the pre-internship clinical attachment, hand hygiene compliance observed by HHCOs among cohort A was significantly higher than that observed by ICNs (96%, 682/713 vs. 59%, 144/244; p < 0.001). Comparison of ICN-observed compliance showed a non-significant increase for cohort B versus cohort A (66%, 230/348 vs. 58%, 156/267; p = 0.051). However, cohort B demonstrated a significantly higher proportion of hand hygiene episodes using ABHR compared to cohort A (90%, 208/230 vs. 79%, 123/156; p = 0.001).
conclusionsEngaging pre-interns in a multimodal educational intervention, including their roles as covert observers, did not significantly increase overall hand hygiene compliance compared to historical controls. However, there was a notable rise in ABHR use among the intervention group. This approach may promote awareness and foster a culture of patient safety.
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