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The following is a summary of “Compliance and Performance of Hand Hygiene in Dutch General Practice Offices Using Electronic Dispensers,” published in the April 2025 issue of Journal of Primary Care & Community Health by Hilt et al. 

Hand hygiene (HH) is critical for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Electronic monitoring offers a feasible solution for assessing HH compliance in general practice offices (GPOs). 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate HH compliance in general practice offices.  

They conducted an observational study at 4 Dutch GPOs between 2019 and 2021. HH compliance was measured using data from alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) dispensers with built-in electronic counters. Daily HH opportunities were calculated based on the ‘Five Moments for HH’ using activities documented in general practitioners’ (GPs) patient electronic dossier systems. 

The results showed HH was performed during 1,786 of 4,322 opportunities (41%). Compliance for GPs, practice assistants, and nurse practitioners was 38%, 51%, and 43%, respectively. HH compliance increased from 42% pre-pandemic to 56% during the pandemic. The mean ABHR volume was 2.44 ml, ranging from 1.91 to 2.55 ml. ABHR volume rose from 2.55 ml to 2.81 ml before and during the pandemic. Self-reported compliance was 86%, highest among nurse practitioners. 

Investigators found HH compliance among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Dutch GPOs to be 41%, with GPs having the lowest and practice assistants the highest compliance. They concluded that multi-modal interventions were needed to improve compliance and encourage the switch to ABHR in Dutch general practice offices. 

Source: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21501319251334218