University of North Carolina Hospitals' "Clean In, Clean Out" hand-hygiene program cut infection rates, according to an article on the Medscape website.
The focus was on cleaning hands upon entering and leaving patient rooms. All healthcare personnel were asked to make observations and provide immediate feedback.
The study found an increase in overall hand-hygiene compliance rate and a decreased overall infection rate, supported by 197 fewer infections and an estimated 22 fewer deaths.
These reductions resulted in an overall savings of $5 million.
Read the article (free registration required).