Factors associated with healthcare providers’ observance of infection prevention and control measures in acute care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

Background: The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) prompted renewed attention to infection prevention and control (IPC) programs in healthcare settings. Objective: This study aimed to investigate associations between factors derived from a hospital safety climate scale for respiratory diseases and Canadian healthcare providers’ (HCPs) hand hygiene and eye protection practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of the COVID-19 Cohort Study (2020–2023) of acute care HCPs providing direct patient care. Results: 100% compliance with Canadian guidelines for the use of eye protection was reported by 73.7%, hand hygiene before entering rooms by 65.3%, and after exiting patient rooms by 81.8% of the 1,361 participants. The adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) for hand hygiene after exiting a patient room was significantly higher for participants who rated organizational support for health and safety higher. The aIRR for the use of eye protection was significantly higher for people who rated their hospital as having fewer job hindrances related to completing their job while using protective equipment and reported higher ratings of their organization’s availability of protective supplies. Discussion: Our data support the association between HCPs’ perception of hospital safety-related organizational factors and the use of eye protection and practice of hand hygiene. These findings also suggest that ease of access impacts the use of eye protection. Conclusions: Although training and making equipment available are necessary, the perception of organizational factors, namely support for health and safety and absence of job hindrances, are important for improving the use of eye protection and hand hygiene.