We have located links that may give you full text access.
Journal Article
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Comprehensive survey of hand hygiene measurement and improvement practices in the Veterans Health Administration.
American Journal of Infection Control 2013 November
BACKGROUND: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a national health care system with variation in hand hygiene (HH) measurement and improvement practices across its facilities. The objective of this national survey was to characterize this variability and identify opportunities for standardization.
METHODS: Survey covered 3 major areas of HH: (1) methods of measuring HH compliance, (2) interventions to improve HH compliance, and (3) site-specific targets for HH compliance.
RESULTS: One hundred forty-one (100%) VHA medical centers returned the survey. A majority (98.6%) of the medical centers conduct direct observations to measure HH compliance rates. Fewer than half (45.3%) validate the observer process at the onset, and fewer still (39.6%) continue to validate observers. Main behaviors that are considered HH opportunities are room entry (69.1%) and exit (71.9%). Improvement interventions include posters (97.2%), feedback (eg, 98.6% to leadership), and improved access to HH products (eg, 90.6% provide individual hand sanitizers to staff). Mandatory education programs for clinical staff are conducted in 88.5% of the medical centers. The majority of the medical centers (77.3%) set their HH compliance target over 90%.
CONCLUSION: Although HH improvement interventions are relatively similar across VHA medical centers, variation exists in compliance monitoring. Findings will assist in standardizing surveillance and next steps in hand hygiene policy in VHA.
METHODS: Survey covered 3 major areas of HH: (1) methods of measuring HH compliance, (2) interventions to improve HH compliance, and (3) site-specific targets for HH compliance.
RESULTS: One hundred forty-one (100%) VHA medical centers returned the survey. A majority (98.6%) of the medical centers conduct direct observations to measure HH compliance rates. Fewer than half (45.3%) validate the observer process at the onset, and fewer still (39.6%) continue to validate observers. Main behaviors that are considered HH opportunities are room entry (69.1%) and exit (71.9%). Improvement interventions include posters (97.2%), feedback (eg, 98.6% to leadership), and improved access to HH products (eg, 90.6% provide individual hand sanitizers to staff). Mandatory education programs for clinical staff are conducted in 88.5% of the medical centers. The majority of the medical centers (77.3%) set their HH compliance target over 90%.
CONCLUSION: Although HH improvement interventions are relatively similar across VHA medical centers, variation exists in compliance monitoring. Findings will assist in standardizing surveillance and next steps in hand hygiene policy in VHA.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app