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A recent investigation has uncovered that hand-washing practices have dramatically declined, even after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine highlights a troubling trend in a Chicago hospital where hand hygiene compliance plummeted nearly 50% just four months after the pandemic was declared.
The University of Chicago Medical Center had previously implemented an automated monitoring system to gauge hand-washing among its staff. This system utilized infrared sensors to track soap dispenser usage among healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, as well as their movements in and out of patient rooms. Prior to the pandemic, compliance rates sat at about 54.5%. However, following a peak of 92.8% in late March 2020, the rate dropped to a staggering 51.5% by July 2020.
Emily Landon, a co-author of the study and executive medical director of infection prevention and control, noted that healthcare workers had initially been diligent about hand hygiene due to their concerns about COVID-19. Yet, it appears that the urgency surrounding proper hand-washing has faded. “People may feel pressured to say they washed their hands, but many aren’t actually following through,” Landon stated.
Interestingly, research indicates that women are more likely to misrepresent their hand-washing habits, while men are less inclined to wash their hands altogether. A 2013 study by Michigan State University found that 15% of men admitted to not washing their hands after using the restroom, compared to 7% of women. Furthermore, when men did wash their hands, only 50% used soap, whereas 78% of women did.
The importance of washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds remains crucial for health, both during and outside of a pandemic. “Hand hygiene is a habit, much like wearing a seatbelt or maintaining a healthy diet,” Landon emphasized.
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In summary, the study reveals a concerning decline in hand-washing compliance among healthcare workers, highlighting the need for continued emphasis on hand hygiene, regardless of the pandemic status.