Pitfalls and Unexpected Benefits of an Electronic Hand Hygiene Monitoring System.
Behavior Observation Techniques
/ methods
Boston
Cross Infection
/ prevention & control
Disease Transmission, Infectious
/ prevention & control
Electronics
/ methods
Guideline Adherence
/ statistics & numerical data
Hand Hygiene
/ methods
Hospitals, University
Humans
Infection Control
/ methods
Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Prospective Studies
Electronic hand hygiene monitoring system
Hawthorne effect
Health care–associated infection
Infection control
Infection prevention
Multidrug-resistant bacteria
Journal
American journal of infection control
ISSN: 1527-3296
Titre abrégé: Am J Infect Control
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 8004854
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
09 2019
09 2019
Historique:
received:
17
12
2018
revised:
07
03
2019
accepted:
08
03
2019
pubmed:
22
4
2019
medline:
15
5
2020
entrez:
22
4
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
No single strategy is more effective than proper hand hygiene (HH) in reducing the spread of nosocomial infections. Unfortunately, health care worker compliance with HH is imperfect. We sought to improve HH compliance using an electronic hand hygiene monitoring system (EHHMS) in 2 units to collect unbiased data and provide feedback. In this prospective, quasi-experimental study, the Hyginex EHHMS was installed in 2 units at Tufts Medical Center. Ninety-one bracelets were assigned, and electronic data were collected over 8 months. Human observations continued. We compared HH compliance as measured by human observation before, during, and after EHHMS implementation. Pre- and post-implementation surveys were distributed to staff. The number of electronically captured HH compliance observations was small due to infrequent bracelet use after month 2 of the intervention. HH compliance, as determined by human observation, increased by an average of 1.3 percentage points per month (P = .0005). Survey responses revealed negative attitudes about the EHHMS before and after its implementation. Despite poor EHHMS participation and negative attitudes toward its implementation, HH compliance, as measured by human observation, significantly improved. Hospitals considering implementing an EHHMS should look to refine the intervention to encourage health care worker participation.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
No single strategy is more effective than proper hand hygiene (HH) in reducing the spread of nosocomial infections. Unfortunately, health care worker compliance with HH is imperfect. We sought to improve HH compliance using an electronic hand hygiene monitoring system (EHHMS) in 2 units to collect unbiased data and provide feedback.
METHODS
In this prospective, quasi-experimental study, the Hyginex EHHMS was installed in 2 units at Tufts Medical Center. Ninety-one bracelets were assigned, and electronic data were collected over 8 months. Human observations continued. We compared HH compliance as measured by human observation before, during, and after EHHMS implementation. Pre- and post-implementation surveys were distributed to staff.
RESULTS
The number of electronically captured HH compliance observations was small due to infrequent bracelet use after month 2 of the intervention. HH compliance, as determined by human observation, increased by an average of 1.3 percentage points per month (P = .0005). Survey responses revealed negative attitudes about the EHHMS before and after its implementation.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite poor EHHMS participation and negative attitudes toward its implementation, HH compliance, as measured by human observation, significantly improved. Hospitals considering implementing an EHHMS should look to refine the intervention to encourage health care worker participation.
Identifiants
pubmed: 31005345
pii: S0196-6553(19)30160-9
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.03.011
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1102-1106Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2019 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.