Continuous Hand Hygiene Monitoring Associated with a Two-Year Elimination of Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections in the NICU

Hand hygiene (HH) is the cornerstone of prevention of Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) [1]. Neonates are among the most vulnerable patient populations, however compliance with HH in the NICUs remains a struggle [2-7]. In the US current HH practices are regulated by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) and epidemiology guidelines from 2015, which are in concordance with the “5 Moments for Hand Hygiene” approach introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) [1].

There are multiple modalities for HH monitoring, from video surveillance to quantitation of hand sanitizer use by frequency per patient per day through electronic recording, or by volume per patient per day, to direct overt or covert monitoring by a hospital employee [8-15]. We share the experience of implementing a continuous 15 months HH monitoring project in our NICU using a modified WHO tool, and present an association between an increase in HH compliance rate and an absence of CLABSI events.

Our level III NICU has average of 350 admissions per year. The majority of catheter-days were related to the use of PICC lines. The unit is fully compliant with central line insertion and maintenance bundles, based on CDC recommendations [16], which are reflected in the institutional policy. In addition to spot checks by the Infection control personnel, compliance with CLABSI prevention bundle is monitored every shift by a Charge/Head Nurse, and recorded in individual patient’s check list. However, between 2013 and 2015, the CLABSI rate in the NICU was above the National Healthcare Safety Network benchmark (no clusters), and in June of 2015 the HH compliance rate in the unit reached a nadir of 63%.

After comprehensive analysis of opportunities for improvement by a multidisciplinary team, the unit leadership developed a Performance Improvement (PI) project (Figure 1). The project was discussed and accepted by the entire NICU team. From October 2015 to December 2016 overt HH audit was conducted by trained unit staff. The training of observers was provided by the Infection Control Department. The observers used modified World Health Organization Hand Hygiene Observation Tool (Figure 2). The HH observation data was entered into the departmental database. Analysis was also conducted on CLABSI rates before and after implementation of the continuous HH monitoring, in conjunction with central line utilization. Feedback to the stakeholders was given individually in real time as needed, and to the unit staff on a monthly basis.

Figure 1:The performances improvement projects to increase compliances with HH in the NICU.

Figure 2:Hand hygiene observation tool.

Of a total of 1466 observation, HH was observed 591, 40.3% times in nurses, 335, 22.9% times in physicians, 148, 10.1% in Respiratory Therapists, and 392, 26.7% times in other ancillary staff. Most observations were conducted during day shift (768, 52.4%), followed by night shift (358, 24.4%), and by evening shift (340, 23.2%). HH before touching patient was observed most commonly (Figure 3). Overall HH compliance rate increased from the pre-project nadir of 63% to 99.9%. Only 4 fallouts were identified, all during the day shift. Of these, 3 fallouts were observed in nurses, and 1 in a resident physician. In each instance a fallout feedback and education were provided in real-time. The interim analysis was shared at a monthly unit staff meeting. After the PI project was completed, HH in the unit was observed by Head/Charge Nurses and Infection control personnel. From January 2017 to January 2018HH compliance rate in NICU remained at 100%. There were no CLABSI events for a total of 27 months (Figure 4).

Figure 3:Observation of HH in the NICU by shift and discipline

Figure 4:CLABSI events in the NICU, January 2014-January 2018.

Our experience is consistent with previous reports suggesting that education and feedback are the most successful strategies in achieving high HH compliance [10,17-19]. It appears that combining real time feedback with education is as important as routine sharing of performance indicators with the multidisciplinary unit team. We have demonstrated a positive after-effect in the post PI project phase: HH compliance rate in NICU remained at 100%. We believe that sustainability of compliance with HH reflects a change in the safety culture in our NICU. Zero CLABSI events for a total of 27 months has been a source of encouragement that has empowered the team.

We attribute our success to three points: First, unit team contribution to shaping the PI project and embracing it from the start. Second, feedback and education were individualized and given in real time. Finally, the staff members were motivated by zero CLABSI rate. We believe that this reflects a change in the safety culture of our NICU and is the most promising factor in sustaining compliance with HH.

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