VINCat program: Impact of a surveillance program on alcohol-based hand rub consumption in acute care facilities in Catalonia, Spain

Abstract

Aim: Hand hygiene is regarded as the cornerstone for preventing healthcare-associated infections. Thisstudy assesses trends in alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) consumption for hand hygiene and availabilityof dispensers at the point of care (POC) in acute care hospitals in Catalonia, as part of the VINCat program.Methods: Data were collected from 2014 to 2022 in 69 hospitals, categorized by size and type, includ-ing large, medium, small, and specialized facilities. ABHR consumption was measured in liters per 1000patient-days, with data segmented into intensive care units (ICUs) and non-ICU wards. Hospital infec-tion control personnel determined the availability of ABHR solutions at the POC through yearly pointprevalence surveys.Results: The study found a significant increase in ABHR consumption over time, with usage rising from22.8 L/1000 patient-days in the 2014–2017 period to 39.9 L in 2018–2022, representing a 75% increase.The most significant growth was observed in ICUs, where ABHR use nearly doubled. ABHR consumptionalso spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, with large hospitals showing the highest levels ofusage. Additionally, the availability of ABHR dispensers at the POC increased, particularly in non-ICUwards and small hospitals.Conclusions: The findings underscore the role of sustained hand hygiene efforts, including increased ABHRavailability at the POC, as essential components of infection prevention. These efforts are especially crucialin high-risk units such as ICUs and in smaller hospitals, where resources and compliance may be limited.