Hand hygiene in the operating room

We administrated a self reported questionnaire in 480 operating room nurses and doctors working in various public hospitals in Athens. The aim of the study was to estimate the changing of gloves after contact with each patient and hand washing after removing of gloves. Of the 480 responders, the 90% of nurses, the 86.4% of surgeons and the 84.2% of anesthesiologists reported that they change their gloves after contact with each patient and wash their hands after removing the gloves. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed positive correlation between using sterile gloves, changing of gloves after contact with each patient and handwashing after removing of gloves and negative correlation between experience in the operating room, changing of gloves after contact with each patient and handwashing after removing of gloves. In conclusion, the implementation of education programmes will improve the adherence of operating room personnel to changing gloves and handwashing.

Keywords: Handwashing, changing gloves