This week, you will propose a hand hygiene program for a teaching hospital.
Think about the role of hand hygiene in the healthcare setting. Proper hand washing is the safest and easiest thing to do to prevent the spread of infections; however, true hand hygiene rates in most hospitals are extremely low.
- You are the assistant to the CEO of a large academic teaching hospital. Describe in detail 2-3 measures you will take to improve hand hygiene practices among the staff and minimize outbreaks in your facility? Be creative!
- Use Appendix A, the Hand Hygiene guidelines, and other sources to support your claims and proposed actions.
Your proposal must be 2–3 pages in length. Include evidence or information from at least three credible external sources and follow APA style for formatting and citation.
Your textbook and supplemental reading material may be used as a reference. The APA format for your text is as follows:
Nelson, K. E. (2014). Infectious disease epidemiology (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Principles of epidemiology in public health practice: Self-study course (3rd ed.). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Hand hygiene is an essential element in preventing the spread of infections in a healthcare setting. Despite this fact, the hand hygiene rates in many hospitals are extremely low. As the assistant to the CEO of a large academic teaching hospital, it is critical to propose measures that can improve hand hygiene practices among the staff and minimize outbreaks in the facility.
Measures to improve hand hygiene practices:
1. Implement education and training programs: Education and training programs are vital to ensuring that the staff understands the importance of hand hygiene and knows how to do it correctly. The education program should cover the appropriate hand hygiene techniques, when to wash hands, and the role of hand hygiene in preventing infections.
2. Provide easy access to hand hygiene products: The availability of hand hygiene products, such as hand sanitizers and soap, can influence the staff’s hand hygiene practices. Therefore, it is essential to provide easy access to these products throughout the hospital. Dispensers should be located in prominent areas, such as near patient beds, hallways, and entrances/exits.
3. Monitor and evaluate hand hygiene practices: Regular monitoring and evaluation of hand hygiene practices can identify areas that need improvement. This monitoring can be done through observation of staff practices, analysis of infection rates, and collecting feedback from patients.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the implementation of education and training programs, easy access to hand hygiene products, and monitoring and evaluation of hand hygiene practices are essential measures that can improve hand hygiene practices and minimize outbreaks in a healthcare setting. By working towards these measures, the hospital can reduce infection rates, enhance patient outcomes, and improve the overall quality of care provided.
