Around 300,000 patients a year acquire a healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) due to standards of care within the NHS, but improving hand hygiene could be the solution. A patient who is admitted into hospital has a 6.4% chance of contracting a hospital infection, and therefore performing effective hand hygiene is critical in reducing HCAIs in healthcare environments. Here, we share five tips to improve hand hygiene compliance within Healthcare facilities.

1.Training

Healthcare workers must be provided with regular training on the importance of hand hygiene.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) ‘Five Moments of Hand Hygiene‘ is the most effective way to help prevent the spread of infection and defines the five key moments when Healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene; before touching a patient, before clean/aseptic procedures, after body fluid exposure/risk, after touching a patient, and touching patient surroundings.

Following this procedure can deliver significant improvements in terms of hand hygiene compliance, helping embed good practice into our everyday working lives.

2. Invest in technology

To effectively measure hand hygiene, every hospital is required to implement a program in accordance with the WHO and set goals for compliance improvement.

Electronic monitoring technology works to reduce HCAIs whilst influencing staff behaviour change. It is the most meaningful and appropriate tool to support hand hygiene compliance and measurement.

3. Reminders

Staff should be constantly reminded to maintain good hand hygiene. Placing posters in and around settings such as breakrooms, restrooms and other high-visibility locations, will reinforce this message throughout the workplace.

4. Positive reinforcement

Creating a positive culture which encourages staff to perform good hygience when necessary can be created through the use of positive messages and providing feedback related to the subject.

5.Track and share data

Electronic monitoring systems provide powerful information that healthcare professionals can use to track real-time, accurate data to drive hand hygiene performance and behavioural change.

By tracking and sharing data, healthcare settings can ensure the highest practice standard in hand hygiene compliance measurement. In turn, this will help healthcare providers drive down the incidence rate of HCAIs within their establishment.

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