San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare interviewed patients and family members for a hand hygiene video titled "It's OK to Ask."
In the video, the patients discuss how they feel about asking clinicians to wash their hands. It implores clinicians to "take time to assure your patients it's OK to ask" and also shows examples of how caregivers can do so.
The video is posted on Sharp's intranet and is also shown during employee orientation.
"Ensuring that every patient receives the best quality of care in a safe environment is essential to our overall success," said Patty Atkins, the system's vice president of clinical effectiveness. "This video helps us meet that goal in one area by reinforcing the importance of helping patients feel comfortable speaking up if a care provider is distracted and doesn't clean their hands."