Education on Prevention of Nosocomial Infections by Implementing Hand Washing for Emergency Room Staff at Bhakti Kartini Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: One of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare facilities was through proper handwashing. Correct hand hygiene reduced the number of pathogenic microorganisms on the skin, which often acted as a transmission medium for infectious diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) established the "Five Moments for Hand Hygiene," which included: before patient contact, before aseptic procedures, after exposure to bodily fluids, after patient contact, and after contact with the patient’s surroundings (WHO, 2009). Methods: This community service activity provided education to emergency department (ED) staff by delivering materials on nosocomial infection prevention and demonstrating proper handwashing techniques. The evaluation was conducted using pre- and post-tests. Prior to the demonstration, 8 out of 12 ED staff were able to correctly demonstrate the proper handwashing technique, while 4 followed the demonstration based on the guidance of the community service team. After the demonstration, all ED staff were able to perform handwashing correctly. In the pre-test, 9 out of 12 participants scored in the “good” category (70–100), while 3 scored “fair” (50–60). In the post-test, all participants scored in the “good” category. Conclusion: The increase in knowledge contributed positively to proper handwashing behavior. However, continuous education and practical approaches were necessary to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice. Recommendation: Regular education sessions and comprehensive monitoring of hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers should be implemented.