Handwashing in hospitals: How Quebec compares to other provinces

Quebec hospitals have one of the lowest rates of compliance with handwashing rules in the country, data compiled by CBC Montreal suggests.

The findings come after an investigative report by Radio-Canada's Enquête showed that Quebec hospitals lag far behind government targets when it comes to handwashing.

Although the government says the ideal rate should be 80 per cent, only 42.5 per cent of health workers wash their hands before seeing a patient, and 61.2 per cent wash after.

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Data for Quebec had to be obtained through an Access to Information request. Most other provinces publish their audit results on government websites.

Compare Quebec with provinces that have published handwashing audits below.

Quebec

Before seeing patient:  42.5 per cent
After seeing patient: 61.2 per cent

Ontario

Before seeing patient:  87.5 per cent
After seeing patient: 91.6 per cent

Data is from April 2014 - March 2015.

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British Columbia

83 per cent overall
Data is for the fourth quarter of 2014-15.

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Alberta

78.5 per cent overall
Data is for the first quarter of 2015-16.

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Saskatchwan

74.1 per cent overall
Data is for June 2015 and for the Regina Qu'Apelle Health Region only.

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Nova Scotia

Before seeing patient: 73.7 per cent 
After seeing patient: 87.7 per cent

Data is for the period of January-March 2015.

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PEI

73 per cent overall
Data is for 2011.

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Manitoba

70 per cent overall
Data is for the first quarter of 2015-16 and for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority only.

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New Brunswick

Vitalité Health Network: 48.5 per cent 
Data is from April 2013 - March 2014.

Horizon Health Network: about 72 per cent
Data is for the fourth quarter of 2013-14.

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