title: Feasibility and effectiveness of an electronic hand hygiene feedback device targeted to improve rates of hand hygiene.
abstract: Various electronic tools have been developed to monitor hand hygiene compliance (HHC). A prospective, investigator-blinded, pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an electronic hand hygiene feedback device to improve rates of hand hygiene. The first month of participation provided baseline rates of HHC (37%). During months 2-5, mean HHC rates were 43%, 44%, 45%, and 49% respectively (P < 0.001). Implementing this electronic device was feasible and showed a modest improvement in rates of HHC. Subsequent studies are warranted to validate the impact of such electronic devices on a larger scale.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, USA. asahud@wpahs.org
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Sahud
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bhanot
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Narasimhan
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Malka
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055615:Electrical Equipment and Supplies; D005246:Feedback; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D063373:Hand Hygiene / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies