The least expensive and time-consuming method of infection prevention is hand cleanliness. Its positive benefits mitigate the negative impacts of healthcare-associated infections, which raise the risk of long-term impairment, extended hospital stays, microbial resistance to antibiotics, and patient and family stress (World Health Organization 2009a:12) (World Health Organization 2009a:12) (World Health Organization 2009a:12). The Global Patient Safety Challenge’s first pillar, hand hygiene, was selected by the WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety to underscore its relevance in the patient safety agenda (WHO 2016). (WHO 2016). While there is growing scientific evidence that practicing good hand hygiene may boost patient safety, save costs, and foster a happy work atmosphere, many healthcare professionals throughout the globe still struggle to follow hand hygiene guidelines (De Wandel, Maes, Labeau, Vereecken & Blot 2010:232-238). (De Wandel, Maes, Labeau, Vereecken & Blot 2010:232-238). (De Wandel, Maes, Labeau, Vereecken & Blot 2010:232-238)
Recent systematic review of studies on compliance to hand hygiene conducted in various settings such as hospitals and nursing homes revealed low compliance rates of between 20% and 50% among nurses in developed and developing countries (Abdella, Tefera, Eredie, Landers, Malefia & Alene 2014:4; Ahlström 2014:22; Darawad, Al-Hussami, Almhairat & Al-Sutari 2012:1; Sakihama, Honda, Saint, Flower, Shimuzu, According to the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), hospital infections have a significant impact on morbidity, mortality, extended hospital stays, and other costs that are borne by both the patient and the healthcare system (Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines 2010:9).
Up to 52 patients (5.3%) suffered hospital acquired infections during the reporting period from April to June, according to the quarterly report from the hospital’s infection control department (One Hospital ICD 2014:2). (One Hospital ICD 2014:2) (One Hospital ICD 2014:2) According to the survey, hospital acquired illnesses were contracted by an average of 21.2% of the hospitalized patients each year.
The bacteria that cause illnesses linked to healthcare were also discovered using hospital tools such central venous pressure lines, urinary catheters, endotracheal tubes, and human fluids (blood, sputum, and wounds from operation sites). Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus regions, extended-spectrum beta lactamase, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumonia were responsible for 21%, 19.5%, 21%, and 24%, respectively, of healthcare-associated infections during April to June (One Hospital ICD 2014:5). Hospital acquired illnesses have a 30% cost burden. Hospital-acquired infections are caused by a number of factors, such as lengthy patient hospital stays and the associated expenditures of bed occupancy, laundry, catering, and staff time (MOHSS, IPC Guideline 2010:9).
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