Management measuring handsanitizer and soap usage

[GardenDove]

Another recent new campaign unrolled at my hospital is the measuring of how much handsanitizer and soap is being used on the units, and comparing it with how much somebody somewhere figured out on paper that SHOULD be used, divided by the amt of pts.

We were wondering, is management short on REAL work to do?

So, I had a wonderful inspiration! Every night near the end of my shift I get a towel and saturate it with handsanitizer and proceed to disinfect the unit. After all, germs can be spread via the phone, counters, doorknobs, computer keyboards, etc...

Our unit won the competition, wouldn't you know it! The day nurses even got in on my sceme!

[lauralassie]

I've come up with an idea, As staff nurses lets put a monitor on admins chairs to see how much they get up off thier rear ends to see what their staff really does. Then lets put one of those hand destroying, crack causing,etoh smelling containers at their desk. tell them to us it at least every 10 min. during the day. See how fast those things are gone.

[sunnyjohn]

I wanna be the one going around with a measuring tape keeping track of the soap, paper tpwels and the toilet paper.

Where do I apply? :rotfl:

[SmilingBluEyes]

hmm...when I come across an empty sanitizer/soap container, I just find another one to use and trust that the housekeepers will do their jobs effectively and refill it when they come around and notice it is out. So, an interesting experiment, but it doesn't necessarily mean that people aren't using sanitizer/washing their hands.

Exactly. I have found this situation, and went to another sink to scrub and sanitize and then asked housekeeping to refill. Deliberately not refilling is not only sneaky, but intrusive to the duty we have to clean up!

[kitty=^..^=cat]

Well if they were waiting for me to use the alcohol foam hanging on the wall they would be waiting a long time. I hate that stuff. My hands are dry enough without continuously putting alcohol on them. I use the soap and water method.

Soap and water are actually more drying and damaging to your hands than the disinfecting gels/foams. Aside from that, the alcohol products are more effective at killing germs and preventing the spread of MRSA than traditional soap and water.

Perhaps you should have some dialogue with your facility's ICP and she could provide additional information to you about the differences in efficacy between the two methods (i.e. why it's better for your patients for you to clean your hands with the alcohol products) as well as ideas for taking care of your dry hand problem.

[mvanz9999, RN]

Personally, I hate the pre-foamed soap appearing everywhere. I like regular soap. :chuckle

[TrudyRN]

I agree with you, that is incredibly petty. They freak out if you don't wash up for everything and then start getting upset at the amount you use.

I'm suprised they don't start putting a meter on the toilet paper in the patient's rooms and charging them by the sheet.

She didn't say they were upset, only that they were monitoring usage.:uhoh21:

[outcomesfirst, BSN, RN]

I work at a hospital that does hand-washing research. We often have projects such as the ones you describe. While it does seem silly at times, a lack of proper hand hygiene is often the cause for the spread of infection.

Some of you have said that you are offended that the hospitals are trying to monitor the staff's hand hygiene practices -- that no one should be checking up on your practices because you are professionals. Well, you'd be surprised at how many professionals don't clean their hands properly. Research confirms the lack of proper hand hygiene over and over again.

In fact ... one of the hallmarks of a profession is that it monitors and "polices" its own members - and that its members willingly accept such regulation of their practice by their professional peers. To think that "As a professional, I don't need to be monitored" is one of the most unprofessional attitude of all.

I agree. Another reason needle disposal may be monitored is to see if the containers are being used properly - ie sharps and syringes only. Usually facilities pay by weight for disposal, so if the wrong items are there it will increase costs.