Comparing Hand washing using soap versus using Alcohol-Based Rubs
Assignment 2: Evaluation Table Template
| Study 1 | Study 2 | |
| Citation: (i.e., author(s), date of publication, & title)
Level of Evidence | Bloomfield, S., Aiello, A., Cookson, B., O’Boyle, C., & Larson, E. (2007). The effectiveness of hand hygiene procedures in reducing the risks of infections in home and community settings, including handwashing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. American Journal Of Infection Control, 35(10), S27-S64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2007.07.001
Level: Level V | Pickering, A., Davis, J., Boehm, A., & Mwanjali, M. (2010). Efficacy of Waterless Hand Hygiene Compared with Handwashing with Soap: A Field Study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene, 82(2), 270-278. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0220
Level: Level VI |
| Purpose of the Study | · To Find the effectiveness of two methods of handwashing procedures.
| · Assessing the effectiveness of waterless (alcohol-based) hygiene and using soap and water.
|
| Theory or Conceptual Framework | · The research used a theoretical framework. · Combined several studies to obtain data. | · A theoretical framework to identify the difference in efficacy of hygiene procedures · Data obtained from non-governmental health organizations
|
| Design/ Method | · A systematic review using interventional studies on ID
| · Collection of qualitative data through questionnaires
|
| Sample/ Setting | · Sample collected by gathering interventional studies relevant to the topic. · · | · Non-governmental healthcare facilities in Tanzania.
|
| Major Variables Studied and Their Definitions | · Incidences of ID. · ID refers to diseases caused by infectious pathogens. | · Incidences of ID among patients within healthcare facilities
|
| Measurement of Major Variables | · Compilation of data from the articles · Data entailed the prevalence of infectious disease using different hygiene methods.
| · Processing of samples to identify the level of infectious disease
|
| Data Analysis | · Compiling evidence | · One way ANOVA · Paired t-test · Pearson correlation |
| Study Findings | · Indicated a strong correlation between handwashing and infectious diseases · Alcohol-based sanitizers are more effective. | · Sanitizer better than hand washing
|
| Strength of the Evidence (i.e., level of evidence + quality [study strengths and weaknesses | · Strengths: o Compared data from high-quality articles. o Good organization of the findings. · Weaknesses: o Lack of adequate qualitative or quantitative data analysis | · Strengths: o Quality data analysis to compare the efficacy · Weaknesses: o The low number of samples. |
Legend: The table gives a summary of data collected on the two articles regarding the effectiveness of various handwashing procedures. ANOVA- Analysis of Variance, ID- infectious diseases.
Introduction
The level of infectious diseases has increased in society. Some of the infectious diseases are acquired in healthcare facilities during and after the provision of healthcare services. Some microorganisms (bacteria and viruses) are more common in healthcare facilities and thus increasing the risk of transmission of infections. Various approaches have been used in hospitals to reduce infections. These methods include the use of alcohol-based sanitizers and handwashing using soap. However, little is known about the difference in the efficacy of the procedures.
Purpose statement
The purpose of the analysis was to compare two hygiene procedures (alcohol-based sanitizers versus washing hands using soap). The analysis can help in the elimination of the contradictions that arise on preferences.
Results and conclusion
Both studies revealed that there is a significant association the two practices. In comparing the two, alcohol-based sanitizers were found to be more effective. The results were influenced by the presence of microorganisms that survive hand washing for more than 15s (Bloomfield et al., 2007). Therefore, healthcare facilities should adopt alcohol sanitization methods to reduce infections.
References
Bloomfield, S., Aiello, A., Cookson, B., O’Boyle, C., & Larson, E. (2007). The effectiveness of hand hygiene procedures in reducing the risks of infections in home and community settings, including handwashing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. American Journal Of Infection Control, 35(10), S27-S64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2007.07.001
Pickering, A., Davis, J., Boehm, A., & Mwanjali, M. (2010). Efficacy of Waterless Hand Hygiene Compared with Handwashing with Soap: A Field Study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene, 82(2), 270-278. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0220
Used with permission, © 2019 Fineout-Overholt