The study analyses the performances of a hospital cleaning service managed in outsourcing with respect to the balance between available resources and expected quality standards. Data were referred to a high specialization hospital and were collected through a multiple approach (interviews, cost analysis, performance simulations and field investigations). A difference (48%) emerged between expected and observed standards. In order to quantify the estimated gap, two models were examined with respect to personnel costs (euro 7.09/hr for NHS personnel and euro 4.5/hr for private personnel). Additional resources needed to achieve required standards resulted respectively 182% and 115% of the invested budget. This result stresses the importance to define the minimum standard to be guaranteed for safe and clean environment in health care organizations and the break-even point between quality and costs, leaving the single institutions the decision about additional quality level and resources needed for it.

Housekeeping, Hospital↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Compliance with handwashing in health care settings].

UNLABELLED: Many studies report low compliance with handwashing in health care settings, even if it is considered an important factor to reduce cross transmission. METHODS: Observational study in University Hospital with external observers. RESULTS: The observers recorded 1262 opportunities for handwashing among 49 nurses. The average of the opportunities was 8,8 handwashing/hour (d.s. +/- 5.05, range 0 divided by 23). The compliance was 19,3%. Compliance was higher in intensive care unit (25,6 %) than in medical ward (18,1 %) and surgical ward (13,9 %). There were no difference between males (19 %) and females (19.4%). Compliance with handwashing was significantly better in post procedure (34%) than in pre procedure (10.6%) and was worst when the workload was higher. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the low adhesion to handwashing international recommendations and suggests to adopt "ad hoc" educational programs and suitable structural/operative conditions.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiological study on knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of health care workers with respect to HIV infection.

To analyse knowledge, perception of risk, attitudes and behaviour towards HIV infection among health workers in two hospitals in the North-East of Italy, we sent all health care workers who were working in direct contact with patients an anonymous self-administered questionnaire covering personal and occupational data, perception and knowledge of risk, behaviour in routine activities, attitudes towards and care of HIV patients. The response rate was 70.06%. The perception of the risk of acquiring HIV infection was influenced by occupational qualification, by work unit and by having cared for a HIV-positive patient. Scientific knowledge about transmissibility of HIV infection was poor and 11.3% of the staff did not know the Universal Precautions. 28.3% behaved correctly in recapping needles, but with patients considered not at risk 29.9% did not use any protection in drawing venous blood. A significant portion of staff showed low willingness to care for HIV-positive patients. We found a high mean perception of the risk of contracting HIV infection through occupational exposure; health workers overestimated the specific risk and wrong behavioural attitudes persisted. To conclude, more attention should be paid to educational programs for health workers.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗