Observer bias in hand hygiene compliance reporting.
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.
Dhar
Sorabh
S
Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Harper University Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. sdhar@med.wayne.edu
Tansek
Ryan
R
Toftey
Elizabeth A
EA
Dziekan
Beth A
BA
Chevalier
Thomas C
TC
Bohlinger
Connie G
CG
Fitch
Michelle
M
Flanagan
Margaret E
ME
Chopra
Teena
T
Marchaim
Dror
D
Kaye
Keith S
KS
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