The Level of Hand Hygiene Among Elderly Residents in Nursing Care Facilities

Abstract

　This study aimed to determine the actual hand hygiene practices of residents in nursing care facilities. We surveyed 240 staff members who care for residents to determine how often the residents perform hand hygiene. Residents were classified into three groups according to their activity status. The method and frequency of performing hand hygiene in different situations were investigated and compared among the three groups. Hand hygiene methods differed by activity status, with the bedridden group using wet wipes, the portable toilet group using alcohol, and the monitored group using running water. The portable toilet and supervised groups tended to perform hand hygiene more frequently after urination and defecation. The bedridden group performed hand hygiene significantly less frequently after defecation than the other activity groups, indicating that hand hygiene tends to be overlooked among residents with low activity status. From an infection prevention perspective, hand hygiene is important, and sufficient wet wipes, alcohol, and easy-to-use handwashing facilities need to be provided for the elderly, depending on their activity status.