Effectiveness of a Multimodal IT Enhanced Hand Hygiene Strategy on Healthcare Associated Infections in Nursing Homes

Effectiveness of Multimodal Information Technology-enhanced Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy on Healthcare-associated Infections in Nursing Homes

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal hand hygiene improvement strategy, enhanced with information technology (IT), in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in nursing homes. The goal is to improve infection prevention practices and promote a safer environment for older adults living in long-term care facilities.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Accuracy; Healthcare-associated Infections; Compliance
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Multimodal Information Technology-based Hand Hygiene Strategies

Detailed Description

Hand hygiene is a key strategy for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), yet compliance among healthcare workers remains suboptimal due to knowledge gaps, limited resources, unfamiliarity with procedures, and poor adherence. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an IT-enhanced multimodal hand hygiene intervention in reducing HAIs within nursing homes, thereby improving infection control practices and promoting a safer environment for older adults in long-term care settings.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 91
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Kaohsiung Nursing Home
  • Pingtung, Taiwan
    • Pingtung Nursing Home

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Full-time nurses or nursing assistants in the participating nursing homes
• Proficiency in Mandarin or Taiwanese

Exclusion Criteria:

• Confirmed or anticipated resignation

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental group; received a three-month IT-enhanced program.	Other: Multimodal Information Technology-based Hand Hygiene Strategies; The intervention, adapted from the WHO's multimodal strategy, incorporated IT-based components to enhance hand hygiene compliance. A one-time, 1-hour online education session via Google Meet covered the WHO's Five Moments and seven-step handwashing technique, with real-time feedback using fluorescent dye and UV light. Post-session videos were available on tablets for review. Visual reminders, such as screensavers and digital posters, reinforced learning. Smart sanitizer dispensers with seven-step lights and a 20-second countdown were installed at five key sites, RFID-linked to staff badges for automatic tracking. Monthly performance data were shared via bulletin boards and LINE, with SMS feedback to top and bottom performers. Daily audio reminders played at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and high performers were recognized in monthly meetings.
No Intervention: Control group; Continued routine care and only took part in the same measurements

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Hand hygiene Compliance Rates	Hand hygiene compliance data were collected using the "Hand Hygiene Compliance Rate and Behavior Inspection Checklist for Long-term Care Facility Workers"(%)	4 month
Hand hygiene Accuracy Rates	Hand hygiene Accuracy data were collected using the "Hand Hygiene Compliance Rate and Behavior Inspection Checklist for Long-term Care Facility Workers"(%)	4 month
Density of healthcare-associated infections	A facility's "density of HAI" followed Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (2012) guidelines(‰)	4 month
Hand Hygiene Knowledge	Cognitive scores were obtained through a "Hand Hygiene Knowledge Questionnaire for Long-term Care Facility Workers" It comprised 15 items (12 true/false, 2 multiple-choice, 1 multiple-answer), awarding 1 point for each correct answer and 0 for incorrect or unsure response, with a total score ranging from 0 to 15. Higher scores indicated greater hand hygiene knowledge.	1 month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 17, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 7, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 11, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): April 13, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 30, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2025
• Last Verified: March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Accuracy; Compliance; Knowledge; Nursing Homes; Information Technology; Density of Healthcare-Associated Infections; Multimodal Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategies
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Disease Attributes; Iatrogenic Disease; Infections; Communicable Diseases; Cross Infection
• Other Study ID Numbers: KMUHIRB-F(I)-20220007

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: for personal privacy reason

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No