BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE INFECTION-CONTROL PRACTICES

No single intervention has been successful in improving and sustaining such infection control practices as universal precautions and handwas hing by health care professionals. This paper examines several behavio ral theories (Health Belief Model, Theory of Reasoned Action and Theor y of Planned Behavior, self-efficacy, and the Transtheoretic Model) an d relates them to individual factors, also considering interpersonal a nd organizational factors. Further, this article includes recommendati ons of individual and organizational components to be addressed when p lanning a theoretically based intervention for improving infection con trol practices. A hypothetic framework to enhance handwashing practice is proposed.