Literature Review: Hand Hygiene Practices and Nosocomial Infections

This assignment is a literature review focusing on hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers, specifically addressing the impact of different hand washing techniques on the occurrence of hospital-associated infections (HAIs). The review, based on the PICOT framework, compares research questions, sample populations, and study limitations related to hand hygiene interventions like hand washing, gloves, and alcohol sanitizers. The student analyzes existing research to identify what is known and unknown in the evidence, aiming to understand how hand hygiene affects HAI rates, healthcare costs, and patient outcomes, particularly in skilled nursing facilities. The review includes an introduction, a comparison of research aspects, a conclusion with recommendations for further research, adhering to APA style guidelines and a rubric for assessment. The goal is to critically evaluate the current literature and propose areas for future investigation to improve patient safety and reduce the burden of HAIs.

While the implementation plan prepares students to apply their research to the problem or issue they
have identified for their capstone change proposal project, the literature review enables students to
map out and move into the active planning and development stages of the project.
A literature review analyzes how current research supports the PICOT, as well as identifies what is
known and what is not known in the evidence. Students will use the information from the earlier PICOT
Statement Paper and Literature Evaluation Table assignments to develop a 750-1,000 word review that
includes the following sections:
Title page
Introduction section
A comparison of research questions
A comparison of sample populations
A comparison of the limitations of the study
A conclusion section, incorporating recommendations for further research
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student
Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become
familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
RUBRIC
 An introduction is present, and it relates to the body of the paper. Information presented in the
introduction is intriguing and encourages the reader to continue reading.
 A reflective and insightful comparison of research questions is presented.
 A reflective and insightful comparison of sample populations is presented.
 A reflective and insightful comparison of the limitations of the study is presented.
 A conclusion and recommendations for further research are reflective and insightful.
 Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the
purpose of the paper clear.
 Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling
manner. All sources are authoritative.