2. Irritant Contact Dermatitis A Survey of Healthcare Worker Knowledge, Perceptions and Actions
Maryanne McGuckin, Dr. ScEd, MT (ASCP)
President, McGuckin Methods International
John Govednik, M.S.
Co-Principal Investigator, McGuckin Methods International
Funded by an unrestricted grant from Georgia-Pacific LLC. The authors have nothing to disclose.

3. Barrier or Missing Link?
Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD) symptoms (dryness, itching, redness, swelling, chapped skin) are often cited as barriers to compliance.
The reported incidence of ICD in healthcare workers (HCWs) attributed to hygiene has increased steadily from 1996 to 2012.
4.5 times more likely to suffer from dermatitis in than in 1996
Br J Dermatol Jul;173(1): doi: /bjd Epub 2015 Jun 2.

4. Barriers Supported by Research and Guidelines
Interventions/ Education
Hand Hygiene (HH) Compliance Measurements
Patient Empowerment
Public Reporting

5. Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD) Barrier 2016
Literature supports causes of ICD
ICD effects patient care practices
Lack of measures published on HCW knowledge, decisions, and support for addressing this barrier to compliance
Practices not supported by guidelines

6. Objectives Identify sources for HCW knowledge of ICD on hands
Identify HH behavior changes when HCWs experience ICD symptoms on hands
Assess role of facility policy in HCW decisions to monitor and treat ICD on hands

7. Methods
Society for Healthcare Epidemiology in America Research Network internet survey
November/December 2015
Four components:
Knowledge
Procedures to monitor and treat ICD
Organizational HH policies addressing ICD
Demographics of respondents
Responses analyzed as percentage of total responses

8. Results 62 surveys completed (28% response rate)
40 USA, 3 India, 2 Canada, 1 all others each

9. Results – HCW Knowledge
Knowledge Source
Percent of Respondents
Scholarly Journals
63%
Colleagues
42%
Medical Websites
34%
HH Product Vendor Websites
26%

10. Results – HCW Action Action Steps Percent of Respondents
Consult Employee Health
58%
Use lotion/moisturizing products
53%
Use approved alternate soap/sanitizer
40%
Use personal, non-approved HH products
39%
15 % of respondents said ICD symptoms impaired their ability to perform patient services

11. When you start to experience symptoms of irritated skin on your hands, what change in behavior do you make in regards to the following hand hygiene practices?
 Use of…
Much less often
Somewhat less often
The same
Somewhat more often
Much more often
Soap and water
16%
15%
34%
13% 0%
Sanitizer 2%
19%
39% 5%
Alternative soap product 6% 8%
Alternative sanitizer product 3%
23%
Hand drying with paper towel
10%
11%
Hand drying with air dryer
Moisturizing lotions
21%
60%

12. Results – Policy Support
47% consulted their facility’s ICD policy
8% said they don’t have, or are unaware of, any policy to address ICD
13% were unsure how symptoms of ICD were monitored, 29% said no procedure exists to monitor symptoms
65% used self-reporting method to assess symptoms and make treatment decisions

13. Conclusion
How we address ICD maybe one of the missing links to improving HH compliance
No common guideline or action plan across facilities
Lotions and moisturizers are clear choice
Must be seen as part of facility’s HH procedure and not individual choice
Empower HCWs with proper knowledge, best actions, and a supportive environment!

14. Thank you Questions and discussion Dr. Maryanne McGuckin