To supplement the material and analysis provided by Becker's Clinical Quality and Infection Control, Becker's Healthcare offers an online database of free and low-cost downloadable patient safety tools and resources, putting them all in one place for user convenience.
The database contains tools for patients and providers on all quality related matters, including general and specific infection prevention and control, patient safety culture, change management, adverse event prevention and quality reporting.
The following are 10 of the most popular hand hygiene patient safety tools on Becker's Healthcare's websites.
10 Hand Hygiene Awareness Posters: The U.S. Department of Veteran's Affair's posters raise awareness among clinical staff on proper hand hygiene protocol and the advantages of following adequate handwashing, such as saving lives and reducing the spread of germs.
'C. the DIFFerence Handwashing Can Make' Brochure: The New York State Department of Health's brochure discusses what Clostridium difficile is, who is at risk for infection and how proper handwashing can help prevent the bacteria from spreading.
CMS Surveyor Tool: The ASC Quality Collaboration's assessment worksheet mirrors the one CMS uses when assessing facilities on hand hygiene. The ASCQC suggests facilities use the tool as a self-assessment as preparation for their actual inspection.
Comedic Hand Hygiene Videos: The Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for New York state's videos emphasize the importance of following hand hygiene in a humorous, entertaining manner.
Hand Hygiene Brochure: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kimberly-Clark Corp.'s brochure discusses the importance of hand hygiene, identifies when to follow hand hygiene protocol and clarifies when to use soap and water versus alcohol-based hand rub.
Hand Hygiene Compliance Unit/Service Leader Checklist: Johns Hopkins University's checklist provides a self-assessment for unit leaders to remind them of tactics they can spearhead to improve hand hygiene on their wards.
Hand Hygiene Resources: Novant Health's resources include posters, banners, computer wallpapers and yard signs to remind patients and providers to follow proper hand hygiene protocol.
My Five Moments for Hand Hygiene: The World Health Organization's poster outlines the evidence-based identified key moments when healthcare providers should wash their hands.
PowerPoint Presentations for Hand Hygiene Education: The Hand Hygiene Resources Center's PowerPoint presentations educate healthcare providers on proper hand hygiene. They also identify potential barriers to adequate adherence and strategies to overcome those barriers.
Sample Hand Hygiene Policies: The Massachusetts' Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Error's sample policies were developed and are used in two Massachusetts hospitals, providing a framework for other organizations to create and implement their own hand hygiene policies.