Consumer Attitudes About Health Care-Acquired Infections and Hand Hygiene

TLDR

Mandatory reporting of health‑care‑acquired infections has sparked debate because consumers may misinterpret the data and it could deter hospital use. The study aimed to assess consumers’ attitudes toward health‑care‑acquired infections, hand hygiene, and patient empowerment. A random‑digit‑dialing telephone survey of U.S. households collected responses on hospital choice, hand‑hygiene practices, and infection concerns.

Abstract

Mandatory reporting and disclosure of health care-acquired infections have resulted in controversy over the perceived notion that consumers will not understand how to interpret data and that such information may negatively influence utilization of hospitals. The objective was to determine consumers’ attitudes about health care-acquired infections, hand hygiene practices, and patient empowerment. A telephone survey based on a random digit dialing sample of all households in the United States was conducted. Consumers were asked about choosing a hospital, hand hygiene practices, and health care-acquired infections. Some 94% of respondents rated environmental cleanliness as very important. Hospital infection rates would influence decision making for 93% of consumers. Four in 5 consumers said they would ask their health care worker to wash and sanitize his or her hands. Our findings strongly suggest that (1) consumers will use infection data in selecting and/or leaving a hospital system and (2) consumers are ready to be empowered with information to ensure a positive outcome.