Hand Hygiene Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire

Hand hygiene should be performed in all of the mentioned situations. Before having direct contact with a patient, hand hygiene is important to prevent the transmission of any microorganisms. Before inserting an invasive device, hand hygiene is necessary to reduce the risk of introducing pathogens into the patient's body. When moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site during patient care, hand hygiene is crucial to prevent cross-contamination. After having direct contact with a patient or with items in the immediate vicinity of the patient, hand hygiene is necessary to remove any potentially harmful microorganisms. Finally, after removing gloves, hand hygiene is important to ensure that any remaining pathogens are eliminated.

Antibiotic-resistant pathogens are most frequently spread from one patient to another via the contaminated hands of clinical staff. This is because healthcare workers may come into contact with these pathogens while caring for an infected patient and then transmit them to another patient if proper hand hygiene practices are not followed. Airborne spread resulting from coughing or sneezing, patients coming in contact with contaminated equipment, and poor environmental maintenance can also contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, but they are not the most frequent modes of transmission in healthcare settings.

If appropriate glove use and hand hygiene are not performed, all of the mentioned infections can potentially be transmitted from patients to clinical staff. Herpes simplex virus infection can be transmitted through direct contact with the virus, colonization or infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus can be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, respiratory syncytial virus infection can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, and hepatitis B virus infection can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or body fluids. Therefore, all of the above infections can be transmitted if proper precautions are not taken.

The most effective regimen for reducing the number of pathogenic bacteria on the hands of personnel, when hands are not visibly soiled or contaminated, is applying 1.5 ml to 3 ml of alcohol-based hand rub to the hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. This is because alcohol-based hand rubs have been proven to effectively kill a wide range of bacteria and viruses, including those that cause infections. Washing hands with plain soap and water is also effective, but may not be as convenient or readily available in certain situations. Washing hands with an antimicrobial soap and water may be unnecessary and can contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance.

Alcohol-based hand hygiene products are not effective in killing Clostridium difficile, the cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming bacterium that can survive in the environment for long periods of time and is resistant to many disinfectants, including alcohol. Therefore, alternative disinfection methods, such as using bleach or hydrogen peroxide-based products, are recommended to effectively eliminate Clostridium difficile.

Alcohol-based hand hygiene products can cause stinging of the hands in some providers due to pre-existing skin irritation. This means that individuals who already have irritated or sensitive skin may experience discomfort or a stinging sensation when using these products. It is important to note that this statement does not imply that all individuals will experience this reaction, but rather that it is a possibility for some people.

Pathogens that readily survive in the environment of the patient for days to weeks are Clostridium difficile (the cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea), Methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA), and Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE). E. coli and Klebsiella spp. may not survive as long in the patient's environment. Therefore, the correct answer is C, D, E.