Enhancing Infection Control in ICU: Reducing Hospital Acquired Infections through Hand Hygiene and Antiseptic Use

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured hand hygiene intervention in improving infection control practices among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Elmhurst Hospital. Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a significant threat to critically ill patients, particularly in ICUs, where immunocompromised conditions increase vulnerability. Guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), the intervention incorporated education on hand washing and antiseptic use, enhanced access to antiseptic products, and behavioral reinforcement through cues to action and feedback mechanisms. The study employed a mixed-methods design, collecting quantitative data on compliance and infection rates, and qualitative insights from HCWs through focus groups and interviews. A total of 63 HCWs were observed over 1620 patient-days. Compliance rates improved significantly, with hand hygiene adherence increasing from 62.4% pre-intervention to 78.1% post-intervention (t(62) = 3.45, p = 0.001). Alcohol-based hand rub usage rose markedly before patient contact (from 54.6% to 81.2%) and after contact (from 59.2% to 88.3%). Correspondingly, HAI prevalence declined from 12.33% to 7.67%. Survey findings confirmed strong perceived benefits and self-efficacy among HCWs, and qualitative feedback highlighted reduced barriers and increased motivation. These results support the value of theoretically grounded, multimodal strategies in ICU infection prevention and offer a scalable model for similar healthcare settings. The intervention contributed to improved patient safety, enhanced care quality, and provided a replicable blueprint for infection control improvement.