It is no secret that hand hygiene is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infection in hospitals. In order to ensure hand hygiene compliance, hospitals need to implement a number of policies and procedures. This article will discuss the steps that hospitals need to take in order to ensure that their staff is properly washing their hands!
Visual Reminders
Nobody will forget about this important aspect if they’re constantly told they should do it. Having efficient solutions for hand hygiene compliance will make sure everyone in the hospital is on the same page. There are visual reminders all around the facility, from posters to sink labels.
There are several ways to make sure hand hygiene is top of mind for staff, patients, and visitors. One way is through visual reminders placed throughout the hospital. These can include posters with key messages, sink labels reminding people to wash their hands, or even floor decals leading people to the nearest hand sanitizer station.
Visual reminders are a great way to keep everyone informed and motivated to practice good hand hygiene. By having these solutions in place, you can be confident that your hospital is doing everything it can to prevent the spread of infection.
Hand Sanitizers
Putting hand sanitizers all over the hospital is one way to help remind staff to clean their hands. Hand sanitizers should be placed at the entrance of the hospital as well as near high-touch areas like handrails, door handles, and elevator buttons. They should also be added to patient rooms and waiting areas.
In case it dries their hands too much, put some CBD cream next to them to moisturize and protect their skin!
The other way to help with hand hygiene compliance is by using automatic hand sanitizer dispensers. These can be placed in high-traffic areas and will dispense the hand sanitizer to the staff. This is a great way to make sure that everyone is getting their hands clean.
For example, you could put an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser near the entrance of the hospital. This would make it so that everyone who comes in would have to use the hand sanitizer.
Setting Rules
There has to be a set of hygiene rules every healthcare facility needs to have. These are the following:
- All healthcare providers clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before and after seeing a patient.
- After removing gloves, health care providers clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Health care providers clean their hands immediately after removing soiled gloves.
- If hands are not visibly dirty, the use of an alcohol-based hand rub is preferred to soap and water in most clinical situations due to its superior effectiveness, ease of use, and time savings.
- When they come into contact with body fluids that contain visible blood.
- When they come into contact with mucous membranes.
- After contact with a patient’s intact skin (e.g., when taking a pulse or blood pressure).
- Before inserting or removing central venous catheters, peripherally inserted central catheters, and arterial lines.
- After contact with a patient’s open wounds or burns.
- When they come into contact with objects or surfaces that may be contaminated with body fluids.
- After performing activities that are likely to cause contamination of hands (e.g., handling used dressings).
- Health care providers should clean their hands with soap and water after using an alcohol-based hand rub to remove visible soil from their hands.
Utilizing Surveillance
Monitoring workers to ensure they are adhering to hand hygiene guidelines is essential to preventing the spread of infection. One way hospitals can do this is by utilizing surveillance. This can be done through direct observation or by using technology, such as video cameras.
Observation is a more traditional method of surveillance and can be conducted by infection control practitioners (ICPs), supervisors, or other hospital staff members. ICPs typically conduct observations on a regular basis as part of their job, but they may also be used in response to an outbreak or increased risk of infection.
Supervisors or other staff members may also be asked to observe workers during their shifts.
Hygiene Campaigns
Create an effective hygiene campaign to improve hand hygiene compliance in hospitals. One way to do this is by using posters and flyers with catchy slogans and graphics. Place them in high-traffic areas like bathrooms, break rooms, and near exits.
You can also create hygiene champions who help lead the charge for better hand hygiene. Train them on proper techniques and have them go around reminding others to wash their hands.
Another way to get people to comply with hand hygiene rules is by making it fun. Host a contest where the prize is a day off or a gift card.
Staff Education
You can also conduct hygiene training for staff as a way to increase hand hygiene compliance. This involves providing educational materials that staff can read and complete. These materials should cover topics like proper handwashing techniques when to wash hands and the importance of maintaining cleanliness.
You can also hold staff meetings to discuss these topics and answer any questions that staff may have. By educating your staff on the importance of hand hygiene, you can create a culture of compliance within your hospital.
High-quality training materials and staff education are essential for increasing hand hygiene compliance in hospitals.
Repeating The Importance
Never stop repeating the importance of hand hygiene to your staff. It might seem like overkill, but it’s the best way to ensure compliance. You can post signs in strategic locations, play videos on loop in break rooms, and include information in newsletters and other communications.
The more you remind your staff about the importance of hand hygiene, the more likely they are to comply with best practices.
You can also lead by example and make sure you’re always practicing good hand hygiene yourself. Wash your hands regularly, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available, and never hesitate to speak up if you see someone violating protocol. By setting the tone yourself, you can encourage others to do the same.
Hygiene compliance is essential for hospitals, so add some reminders and provide workers with hand sanitizers on every corner. Set strict rules and utilize surveillance to see if someone is not playing ball. Create an effective campaign and educate the staff, after which you should remind them constantly about it. You’ll have the cleanest hospital in the world.
