The baseline compliance rate was 12.4 percent, determined using a covert observation of eight alcohol gel dispensers near the hospital’s main entrance. Then, red lights were placed on four of the eight dispensers and covert hand hygiene observation began again, completed in two cycles in January and April 2013.
The red light intervention increased compliance to 23.5 percent in cold weather and to 27.1 percent during warm weather, the researchers found. Overall, the pooled compliance rate increased to 25.3 percent
“We hypothesize that our intervention drew attention to the dispensers, which then reminded employees and visitors alike to wash their hands,” the study’s authors concluded.
More articles on hand hygiene:
10 most popular hand hygiene stories for July
Patient safety tool: Qualis Health’s online toolkit for engaging patients in infection control
DebMed, Premier reach hand hygiene agreement
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
