Date of Graduation

Fall 2008

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing

Department

Nursing

Committee Chair

Susan Sims-Giddens

Abstract

Hand hygiene is recognized as the single best method to prevent spread of pathogens and for the prevention of nosocomial infections (Pittet, D., 2001). However, hand hygiene adherence remains at a low rate despite current guideline recommendations. The purpose of this study is to explore and describe nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding hand hygiene and general practice guidelines. Relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and intent to implement hand hygiene will be explored along with important factors and perceived barriers for implementation. The research questions are: What is nurses' knowledge about hand hygiene guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and general practice guidelines? What is nurses' attitude toward recommended hand hygiene and general practice guidelines? What is the most important factor that did or would influence a nurse to implement Hand Hygiene Guideline? What is the most important barrier to implementing the Hand Hygiene Guideline? A descriptive design study will be conducted with a convenience sample of registered nurses in a Midwestern hospital. Demographic data collected to describe the sample are gender, age, and number of years in nursing profession and education level. The data will be collected via a questionnaire, 'Attitudes Regarding Practice Guidelines', to be administered anonymously to participants on a voluntary basis. Statistical significance will be used to determine if knowledge and attitudes guide implementation. The implications for nursing include examination of knowledge and attitudes to improve hand hygiene, identification of key factors for improvement, and recognition of barriers that impede implementation.

Keywords

Hand hygiene, hand hygene guidelines, general practice guidelines, attitudes on hand hygiene, attitudes on general practice guidelines

Subject Categories

Nursing

Copyright

© Elaine 0 Blevins

Download

Campus Only

Share

COinS