EFFECTIVENESS OF HAND HYGIENE IN REDUCING BACTERIAL FLORA IN HEALTH CARE WORKERS-A STUDY OF IMPACT

Hand hygiene is simplest, most effective and least expensive tool to prevent health care worker associated infection. The compliance among HCW is low due to various reasons leading to increased morbidity and mortality in Healthcare associated infection (HAI). Proper hand hygiene significantly reduces bacterial flora and HAI. The study was planned with the aim to know the pattern of microbial flora and its drug resistance and effectiveness of hand hygiene in reducing bacterial load on hands of health care workers.Material and Methods: Both hand finger imprints of 50 participants were taken on Blood agar before and after hand hygiene. The plates were incubated 24-48 hours at 37°C.Colony count was done. Bacteria were identified by their colony characteristics and biochemical reactions. AST was performed as per CLSI 2019 guidelines.Results: 90-99% reduction in bacterial colony count after hand hygiene was seen in majority of participants Mixed growth was seen in ten samples. Micrococcus was most common organism isolated in twenty-four samples, followed by diptheroids in sixteen samples, Coagulase negative staphylococcus (CoNS) in fourteen samples and Staphylococcus aureus in six samples .Three CoNS and four Staphylococcus aureus were Methicillin resistant. Gram negative bacilli isolated were Klebsiella species, Pseudomonas species and Escherichia Coli each in two samples respectively One Escherichia Coli was ESBL producer. All the GNB were sensitive to carbapenem. After performing hand hygiene micrococcus was isolated from four sample, diptheroids from three and CONS from one sample. Staphylococcus aureus and GNB were not found after hand hygieneConclusion: HCW hands are colonized with bacteria. Proper hand hygiene technique awareness and its compliance significantly reduce bacterial load and decrease HAI.