Maintaining good hand hygiene has direct life-and-death consequences in healthcare facilities. This critical responsibility is shared not only by frontline staff, but also by the general public and the patients they are tasked with protecting. Traditional “classroom” hand hygiene training yields incremental positive results on a temporary basis, but without ongoing reinforcement, even the most conscientious staff have been shown to revert to poor practices. The challenge is that most individuals require immediate and direct feedback to reinforce new practices.
Studies have found that individuals will practice proper hand hygiene only three times after receiving new training before reverting to their old habits. Hospital staff are generally willing to comply with hand hygiene requirements; however, the goal is to ensure they practice good hand hygiene without additional cognitive load or the need for continuous monitoring. Identifying areas of the hands that are often overlooked improves personal technique, with positive outcomes for overall patient care.
Is technology-driven behavioral change possible?
Case studies from facilities using Hand-in-Scan™ Semmelweis Systems show that immediate diagnostic feedback leads to lasting improvements in the behavior of intensive care staff. In just two months on average, data consistently shows very positive results and a significant reduction in contamination rates. Simply put, regular technology-driven training and digital reminders create a positive shift in workplace culture and staff behavior. This, in turn, encourages continuous improvement, provides greater protection for everyone, minimizes staff absenteeism, and reduces mortality among those vulnerable to infection. With the right guidance and technology, perfect hand hygiene is not just a possibility—thankfully, it is also an inevitability.
Read more about Hand-in-scan the article:
“Evaluation of Hand Disinfection using the Semmelweis System”