Judy L Walker1, William W Sistrunk2, Mary Ann Higginbotham2, Kristi Burks2, Linda Halford2, Linda Goddard2, Lori A Thombs3, Cindy Austin4, Phillip J Finley4. 1. Quality Resources-Infection Prevention, Mercy Hospital-Springfield, Springfield, MO. Electronic address: judith.walker@mercy.net. 2. Quality Resources-Infection Prevention, Mercy Hospital-Springfield, Springfield, MO. 3. Department of Statistics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. 4. Division of Trauma and Burn Research, Mercy Hospital-Springfield, Springfield, MO.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health care-associated infections are serious complications impacting 2 million patients and accounting for approximately 100,000 deaths per year. In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a new hand hygiene monitoring program (HHMP) and measured the sustainability of this effectiveness over a 1-year period. METHODS: The HHMP consisted of 4 key components: extensive education, conspicuous and visible monitors, immediate feedback concerning compliance to health care workers, and real-time data dissemination to leadership. The HHMP was implemented in 2 hospital care units. Two different, but similar, departments served as controls, and hand hygiene compliance was monitored via the "secret shopper" technique. All 4 departments were followed for 12 months. RESULTS: Both experimental departments showed statistically significant increases in hand hygiene compliance. Experimental department 1 increased compliance from 49% to an average of 90%, and experimental department 2 increased compliance from 60% to an average of 96%. Both experimental departments were able to sustain these results for at least 6 months. Compliance rates were significantly higher in the experimental departments compared with the control departments. No significant changes were seen in the control departments. CONCLUSIONS: These finding suggest that continuous monitoring by salient observers and immediate feedback are critical to the success of hand hygiene programs.
BACKGROUND: Health care-associated infections are serious complications impacting 2 million patients and accounting for approximately 100,000 deaths per year. In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a new hand hygiene monitoring program (HHMP) and measured the sustainability of this effectiveness over a 1-year period. METHODS: The HHMP consisted of 4 key components: extensive education, conspicuous and visible monitors, immediate feedback concerning compliance to health care workers, and real-time data dissemination to leadership. The HHMP was implemented in 2 hospital care units. Two different, but similar, departments served as controls, and hand hygiene compliance was monitored via the "secret shopper" technique. All 4 departments were followed for 12 months. RESULTS: Both experimental departments showed statistically significant increases in hand hygiene compliance. Experimental department 1 increased compliance from 49% to an average of 90%, and experimental department 2 increased compliance from 60% to an average of 96%. Both experimental departments were able to sustain these results for at least 6 months. Compliance rates were significantly higher in the experimental departments compared with the control departments. No significant changes were seen in the control departments. CONCLUSIONS: These finding suggest that continuous monitoring by salient observers and immediate feedback are critical to the success of hand hygiene programs.
Authors: Meghan R Mason; Bozena M Morawski; Ruby L Bayliss; Fatuma M Noor; Sagal H Jama; Connie L Clabots; James R Johnson Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2020-12-16