How can infection control practitioners encourage healthcare workers compliance with good hand-hygiene practices?
“When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) came out with the draft guidelines for hand hygiene in healthcare settings, our hospital, clinics and long-term care facilities started a trial of alcohol sanitizers. We installed dispensers throughout these facilities and did in-services on how to use the products. Evaluations were done and one product was chosen. Physicians like the new concept and we have educated our patients and visitors. Our hand hygiene has improved. We are planning to put a Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) brochure entitled ‘Speak Up’ in our admit packets for patients. They are told to observe staff for handwashing or use of alcohol sanitizers. Staff and physicians will probably be reminded by our patients to wash their hands or use the alcohol sanitizers. Handwashing and hand hygiene compliance should soar if the staff knows patients are watching. Nonclinical staff has responded to hand hygiene compliance by having
