STUDENT OBSERVATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION'S MULTIMODAL STRATEGY ON HANDWASHING IN THEIR WORKPLACES

Mercedes Sanchez 1, Ana María Bejarano, María Eugenia Romero, Malvina Días, Inés Eberle, Daniela Bisai

Abstract

The WHO initiated the multimodal strategy Programme for adherence to hand washing considering it “the most effective measure, easily applicable and low cost for avoiding propagation of Healthcare Associated Infections, the dissemination of multi-re-sistant microorganisms and contributing to saving lives”. The chair of the faculty of Nursing for Patients of High Risk proposed that the students observe the implementation of the components of this strategy in
their work places. After reading the multimodal strategy manual of the WHO, its application in workplaces was observed. The findings were included in a digital form designed by Google that contained two sections; the first referred to identifying the student in his/her workplaces, the second was composed of questions referring specifically to the components of the strategy. The Likert scale was used for measuring these at four levels: totally in disagreement, in disagreement, in agreement and totally in agreement, with the components proposed in the multimodal focus. The total number of responses was 807 and presented in pie charts.

For this multimodal approach to achieve the objectives for which it was created, it is necessary that the five components be treated and made to work in the same way and with the same rigour. The results awaited would not be sufficient if the focus is only on a single component: such as the provision of inputs.

However, not capacitating their correct use, the repositioning of these inputs when they finish, and not controlling how they are used would lead to inferen ces regarding the same.