Analysis of Contamination Characteristics in The Hand Function Evaluation Process

Abstract

This study is to investigate characteristics of infection during hand function evaluation process by the difference in disinfection methods between hands and evaluation tools in order to find out how to manage effective disinfection of hand agility evaluation tools used in the occupational therapy service. The subjects of study were adults over 19 years of age, and methods was three groups by selecting the Oconners dexterity test and the Grooved peg board test, which are hand agility evaluation tools. In the first group (n=3), the subject's hands were sterilized with an alcohol swab and the evaluation tools were not sterilized, and an agility test was performed according to the existing method, and the degree of contamination of the hands was measured. In the second group (n=3), the evaluation tool was sterilized with an alcohol swab, and agility was evaluated  without disinfecting the hands of the subject, and the degree of contamination was measured. In the third group (n=3), the subject's hands and evaluation tools were sterilized with an alcohol swab, and the hand agility test was conducted and the degree of contamination was conducted. There was significant difference in frequency and size of contamination between 3 groups (p<0.05). In addition, contaminationbetween two group showed significant differences in thumb and index finger(p<0.05).In this study, disinfection and management of both hands and evaluation tools that are the main cause of contamination is the most effective for contamination control, and removing the source of infection by determining the disinfection method according to the contents of the hand function evaluation reduces the risk of infection and personal hygiene.