Hand Hygiene Adherence

Identifying Attributes

Care Settings
Hospital Care
Country
Canada
Publishing Organisation
Department of Health and Wellness: Quality and Patient Safety Nova Scotia
Type of Quality Indicator
Process
IOM Quality Dimension
Effectiveness
Domain
Infection and Sepsis

Defining Attributes

Definition

The number of times hand hygiene is performed correctly divided by the number of hand hygiene opportunities (i.e. the numbers of times hand hygiene is indicated during a patient care activity), multiplied by one hundred.

Numerator

The number of times hand hygiene was performed before (Moment 1) initial patient/patient environment contact or after (Moment 4) patient/patient environment contact.

Denominator

The total number of observed hand hygiene indications before (Moment 1) or after (Moment 4) patient/patient environment contact.

Exclusions

Excludes visitors, including family members and beds in long-term care or level 2 units/wards, residential mental health units and withdrawal management units.

Use of Risk Adjustment
No
Risk Adjustments

None

Stratifications

By geographical area (Western, Eastern, Northern, Central, IWK Health Centre).

Collection and Reporting Attributes

Type of Data Collection
Administrative data
Data Collection Methods

Clinical audit/observation data

Frequency of Data Collection
Quarterly
Frequency of Data Collection in Days
91
Reporting Frequency
Quarterly
Reporting Frequency in Days
91
Indicator Has Recommended Targets
Yes

Source and Reference Attributes

Link to Measurement Tools
Quality Indicator Confirmed to be Part of a Program Used to Monitor Quality and Safety of Care Among Older People at a Population-Level between 2012-2022
Yes
Assessed by the Australian Consortium for Aged Care Collaborators as Generally Containing Good Properties (Importance and Scientific Acceptability)
No
Australian Consortium for Aged Care Endorsed
No
Identified by PHARMA-Care Project
No
Upload Date
02 December 2025