title: Observer bias in hand hygiene compliance reporting.
abstract: Differences in reported hand hygiene compliance rates were assessed on the basis of the unit affiliation of observers. In 2 hospitals, unit-based observers more often reported higher compliance rates than did non-unit-based observers (79% vs 58.6%; difference, 20.4%; P<.001). Nonstandardized data collection methods contribute to the variability in hand hygiene compliance rates.
authors.affiliation: Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Harper University Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. sdhar@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Sorabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhar
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tansek
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Toftey
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Dziekan
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chevalier
authors.forename: Connie G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Bohlinger
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fitch
authors.forename: Margaret E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Flanagan
authors.forename: Teena
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chopra
authors.forename: Dror
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marchaim
authors.forename: Keith S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kaye
mesh_terms: D015987:Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards*; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods; D015588:Observer Variation; D010564:Personnel, Hospital