Measuring hand hygiene compliance rates at hospital entrances.
BACKGROUND
Despite the importance of hand hygiene in the health care setting, there are no studies evaluating hand hygiene compliance at hospital entrances.


METHODS
The study was prospectively performed over a 33-week period from March 30, 2014-November 15, 2014, to evaluate hand hygiene compliance in 2 hospital reception areas. We compared electronic handwash counters with the application of radiofrequency identification (GOJO SMARTLINK) (electronic observer) that counts each activation of alcohol gel dispensers to direct observation (human observer) via remote review of video surveillance.


RESULTS
We found low hand hygiene compliance rates of 2.2% (99/4,412) and 1.7% (140/8,277), respectively, at reception areas A and D, detected by direct observation. Using the electronic observer, we measured rates of 17% (15,624/91,724) and 7.1% (51,605/730,357) at reception areas A and D, respectively. For the overall time period of simultaneous electronic and human observation, the human observer captured 1% of the hand hygiene episodes detected by the electronic observer.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed very low hand hygiene compliance in hospital reception areas, and we found an electronic hand hygiene system to be a useful method to monitor hand hygiene compliance.
Division of Medical Practice, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
Marina
M
Vaidotas
Division of Medical Practice, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
Paula Kiyomi Onaga
PK
Yokota
Division of Medical Practice, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: a.marra@uol.com.br.
Alexandre R
AR
Marra
Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
Thiago Zinsly Sampaio
TZ
Camargo
Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
Elivane da Silva
Eda S
Victor
Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
Deisy Morselli
DM
Gysi
GOJO Latin America, Pindamonhangaba, Brazil.
Flavio
F
Leal
Division of Medical Practice, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
Oscar Fernando Pavão dos
OF
Santos
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA.
Michael B
MB
Edmond
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D063373:Hand Hygiene / Q000379:methods*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies
Alcohol gel dispensers; Electronic handwash counters; Hand hygiene monitoring; Innovation; Radiofrequency identification; Technology