Examining the Relationship Between Hand Hygiene Practices and Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention: A Comprehensive Review of Nursing Technicians' Adherence to Protocols in Saudi Arabian Healthcare Settings

Abstract

Hand hygiene is a crucial aspect of infection prevention and control in healthcare settings, and nursing technicians play a vital role in implementing hand hygiene protocols. This review investigates the correlation between nursing technicians' adherence to hand hygiene protocols and their healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus databases to identify relevant studies published between 2010 and 2024. The search yielded 20 studies that met the inclusion criteria, which were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tools. The findings revealed that nursing technicians' adherence to hand hygiene protocols varied across different healthcare settings in KSA, with compliance rates ranging from 30% to 80%. Several factors were found to influence hand hygiene adherence, including knowledge, attitudes, workload, and organizational support. Moreover, the review highlighted a significant correlation between nursing technicians' hand hygiene adherence and their HAI prevention practices, such as the use of personal protective equipment and compliance with aseptic techniques. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve hand hygiene adherence among nursing technicians in KSA, as well as the importance of fostering a culture of infection prevention and control in healthcare organizations. Further research is recommended to explore the effectiveness of different intervention strategies and to examine the long-term impact of improved hand hygiene adherence on patient outcomes and healthcare costs in KSA.