Evidence-based solutions are driven by facts. This is the lifeblood of most clinicians. But there are no facts when it comes to handwashing, no standards of quality or frequency. Thus, what should be the role of the clinicians in raising handwashing frequency which is largely a behavior change challenge?
Bedridden patients tend to wash their hand less because of the inconvenience. Their contaminated hands endanger themselves as well as their caregivers. Handwashing For Life Healthcare offers two suggestions to boost the power of alcohol hand sanitizers.
RubScrub™ is simply a handwash protocol without water.
The Handwashing For Life Scoreboard is a component of ECM, Electronic Compliance Monitoring. It is the scoreboard screen or marquee positioned in clear view of the staff work stations to assure as an indicator to the team of their current handwashing performance. Some technologies will report
Every hospital and nursing home has an expected infection rate. We like those that are reported as Expected or Actual Infections per 1,000 Patient or Resident Days. The word Expected allows a data normalization factor for providers serving the very seriously immune-compromised.
More than a single moment, consider the patient protection value of the collective handwashes from the kitchen to the bed tray. Handwashing For Life Healthcare considers all those washes as one, the 6th Moment™, a reminder that all the patient room precautions can be nullified by a missed handwash along the route.
Consider a new patient. Now that he or she is resting comfortably, it’s time to finalize dietary requirements or implement the pre-agreed plan. In other words, let’s get cooking!
Caregivers value clean hands in their mission to help heal the vulnerable patients and residents they serve. Nurse Assistants may free their hands of microbes 50 -100+ times per day with well over half during their 8 hour shift. Stripping hands of pathogens with soap simultaneously strips the skin of oils which must be protected to avoid the stinging pain associated with very dry skin.
"Clean Hands. Save Lives." is the mantra of the CDC fostered Clean Hands Coalition, who today are joining the World Health Organization and Handwashing For Life Healthcare to celebrate World Health Day. The day started with a very informative webinar, "Healing Hands" sponsored by the Global Public-Private Partnership For Handwashing.
Handsinks are plentiful in healthcare facilities. They seem like they are everywhere until you need one and you:
Handwashing For Life Healthcare remains reeling as it looks closer at the CDC summaries of the annual fatalities caused by infections acquired in healthcare facilities. When answers are identified, there will likely be investment required. Early adopters of best practice solutions may reap benefits by strengthening their brand values.
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