In this longitudinal study the effectiveness and outcomes of the Australian National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) were assessed. From 2009 to 2017 about 2 mio NHHI online learning programs were completed. The average hand hygiene compliance in Australian hospitals increased from 63.6% to 84.3% while the incidence of healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (HA-SAB) decreased. For every 10% of increase in hand hygiene compliance, the incidence of HA-SAB decreased by 15%.
Effects of the Australian National Hand Hygiene Initiative after 8 years on infection control practices, health-care worker education, and clinical outcomes: a longitudinal study.
During the Australian national hand hygiene initiative hand hygiene compliance increased from 63.6% to 84.3%.