The mortality and morbidity caused by nosocomial infections is not something to be proud of. However, it can be prevented by simple measures. There is no doubt that hand-washing can in fact reduce nosocomial infections. There are many studies that had shown that an increased rate of compliance in terms of hand washing means a decrease in nosocomial infections. Furthermore, it was also determined that the extent by which hand-washing can help is unquantifiable, but can be detected (Bryan, Cohran, & Larson, 1995). Moreover, the problem does not lie with the lack of evidence that hand-washing can reduce nosocomial infection nor the credibility of the sources. Evidence may be found from many academic studies that can fall in almost all levels of the hierarchy of evidence strength. The problem lies on the compliance of the people in the health care industry and the people associated with them such as the patient and those who visit them.
A study had tried to determine how effective hand-washing can be taught to families who have access to facilities in hospitals. There were 123 families that participated in the study. 61 of these families were placed in an experimental group wherein hand-washing was taught through a video while 62 were in a control group where hand-washing was taught through illustrations. The study concluded that those who were taught using a video had complied with effective hand-washing techniques than the control group (Chen & Chiang, 2007). Thus, it can be stated that more efforts should be placed on educating people on how to comply. They know that hand-washing is important, but they should be guided as to how they can perform it efficiently. In conclusion, studies should focus on the determination on how people may be able to comply with effective hand-washing techniques rather than quantifying evidences.
References
Bryan, J.L. Cohran, J., and Larson, E.L. (1995). Handwashing: A Ritual Revisited. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America, 7(4). 617-625.
Chen, Y.C. and Chian, L.C. (2007). Effectiveness of Hand-Washing Teaching Programs for Families of Children in Paediatric Intensive Care. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 16(6). 1173-1179.
