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Hand washing and physicians: how to get them together
Charles Salemi1, M Teresa Canola, Enid K Eck
1Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Fontana, California 92335, USA.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|March 1, 2002
Summary
Physician hand washing compliance improved significantly with personal feedback and direct physician engagement. In-person and video presentations were more effective than email for improving hand hygiene practices.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Medical Education
Background:
- Physician compliance with hand washing is critical for preventing healthcare-associated infections.
- Previous interventions have shown variable success in improving hand hygiene rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify motivating and behavioral factors that enhance physician hand washing compliance.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different communication methods for promoting hand hygiene.
Main Methods:
- Five observational studies were conducted in an intensive care unit (ICU) to record physician hand washing rates.
- Physicians received personalized feedback on their hand washing performance from an infectious disease physician.
- Educational interventions included live and videotaped inservice presentations and email newsletters.
Main Results:
- Physician hand washing compliance rates varied significantly across the five studies (19% to 85%).
- Personal commitment and direct meetings with an infectious disease physician were key influencers of behavior.
- Live and videotaped presentations were more impactful than email newsletters in improving compliance.
Conclusions:
- Physician hand washing compliance can be effectively improved through targeted interventions.
- Personalized feedback, direct physician interaction, and visual presentations are superior to email for promoting hand hygiene.
- Incorporating local compliance data and physician involvement is crucial for successful hand washing programs.