December 09, 2011
High-Tech Tools Encourage Hospital Hand Hygiene
Bruce Farber, MD
Hand-washing is a key step to prevent infections. It is especially critical in hospitals, where healthcare workers can potentially transfer microorganisms from one patient to another. A study at North Shore University Hospital shows that remote video auditing combined with employee feedback produces a significant and sustained improvement in hand hygiene, which directly benefits patients.
From June 2008 through June 2010, we placed cameras with views of every sink and hand-sanitizer dispenser in the Intensive Care Unit. For the first part of the study, which lasted 16 weeks and did not include feedback, staff members’ hand-hygiene rates were less than 10 percent. During the subsequent 91-week period, video auditors observed healthcare workers’ hand-hygiene compliance and posted positive results on hallway electronic boards—and hand-hygiene rates increased to 88 percent.
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