Direct observation numbers do not tell the true story when there is no correlation between perfect hand-hygiene compliance rates and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), according to a blog on the DebMed website.
Industry experts discussed hand-hygiene compliance during a symposium at the 43rd Annual Conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
Panelists agreed that to drive any meaningful change in reducing HAIs, they must know their true hand-hygiene compliance numbers. Real data establishes a baseline and is a starting point for organizational transformation.
Implementing an electronic monitoring program was urged, as well as getting staff buy-in before a technology is selected and implemented.