Compliance of surgical hand washing before surgery: Role of remote video surveillance

To evaluate and increase the compliance of surgical hand scrubbing with periodic feedback.

This study was conducted at the Aga Khan Hospital for Women and Children, Karachi, Pakistan, from April to July 2014. A remote video auditing system consisting of human auditors was used for visualising surgical hand wash compliance of the surgical team. The equipment, which used motion sensor, was installed in the scrub area wall, visualising the scrub sink only. A clock was displayed for the healthcare professionals to aid in ensuring two-minute hand washing. All surgeons, technicians and surgical assistants were included in the study. Surgical scrubbing was measured during a 4-week period by remote video auditing without feedback and a 12-week period with feedback. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis.

Of the 534 observations, 150(28%) were made during the pre-feedback period and 384(71.9%) during the post-feedback period. During the first 4 weeks, the overall compliance was 22(14.6%). The rate of compliance increased to 310(80.7%) during the 12-week post-feedback period.

Video surveillance with feedback for hand washing was found to be an effective tool for measuring hand hygiene and improving compliance.