Implementation of the WHO hand hygiene strategy in Faranah regional hospital, Guinea

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections are the most frequent adverse events in healthcare worldwide, withlimited available evidence suggesting highest burden in resource-limited settings. Recent Ebola epidemicsemphasize the disastrous impact that spread of infectious agents within healthcare facilities can have, accentuatingthe need for improvement of infection control practices. Hand hygiene (HH) measures are considered to be themost effective tool to prevent healthcare-associated infections. However, HH knowledge and compliance are low,especially in vulnerable settings such as Guinea.The aim of PASQUALE (Partnership to Improve Patient Safety and Quality of Care) was to assess knowledge andcompliance with HH and improve HH by incorporating the WHO HH Strategy within the Faranah Regional Hospital(FRH), Guinea.Methods: In a