ADHERENCE TO THE PRACTICE OF HAND HYGIENIZATION BY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Although hand hygiene (HH) is a common practice, it is extremely important in health services, as it is effective in controlling diseases and infections resulting from activities in this context. Objective: To analyze the scientific evidence related to healthcare professionals' adherence to handwashing to reduce infectious diseases. Method: This is an Integrative Literature Review, descriptive and qualitative, carried out between September and November 2023. Results: Initially, 36 articles were selected and, after reading them in full, 09 scientific articles were included. The results were grouped into two thematic categories: a) Structural and organizational components; and b) Knowledge about the importance of hand hygiene (HH). The Covid-19 pandemic helped in the adherence to the practice of HH. Final considerations: The professional category is a determining factor for adherence to HH and may be affected and/or influenced by the physical structure, use of procedure gloves, work regime, presence of a leader in the health team, and patient safety climate. In addition, adherence to hand hygiene by health professionals is influenced by knowledge about its importance and the quality of education, whether formal or permanent. The tendency is for adherence to hand hygiene to decrease over time, making daily training essential.