Successful development of a direct observation program to measure health care worker hand hygiene using multiple trained volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Direct observation of health care worker (HCW) hand hygiene (HH) remains the gold standard, but implementation is challenging. Our objective was to develop an accurate HH observation program using multiple HCW volunteers.

METHODS: HH compliance was defined as correct HH performed before and after contact with a patient or a patient's environment. HCW volunteers from each unit at our children's hospital were trained by infection preventionists to covertly collect HH observations during routine care using an electronic tool. Questionnaires sent to observers in February and December 2014 recorded demographic characteristics, observation time, and scenarios assessing accuracy. HCWs were surveyed regarding their awareness that their HH behavior was being recorded.

RESULTS: There were 146 HH observers. The majority of observers reported making 1-2 observations per shift (65%) and taking ≤10 minutes recording an observation (85%). Between January 2012 and December 2014 there were 22,484 HH observations (average, 622 per month), including nurses (46%), physicians (21%), and other HCWs (33%). Observers correctly recorded HH behavior more than 90% of the time in 5 of the 6 scenarios. Most HCWs (86%) were unaware they were being observed.

CONCLUSION: A direct observation program staffed by multiple HCW volunteers can inexpensively and accurately collect HCW HH data.