Help! We are a busy trauma/ER and have had horrendous compliance with handwashing before and after seeing patients by all staff, from MDs to aides. We have many different types of staff who audit us (secretly or not) and it is now almost a year and we are always the lowest unit in the hospital (avg. 20-30% compliance!) We've had people argue the problems w. the audits and the barriers to washing (phys. set up) but I think its more a habit/culture change issue. I always wash so it can be done. Patients are now on the lookout for this and stats are going to be published. We are immed informing staff who do not wash, sending them an email stating they did not wash, trying to encourage/remind everyone out loud to do it, thank those who do,etc.
We have put the 'foams' mounted outside each room, etc. We now have a doc who wants to mount a can of foam on the foot of each stretcher ! I think we should just hang them from each doorway so the can hits you on the head on the way in...but I still can't make you rub your hands together. Another doc joked to attach them to each wrist so you can squirt it out like Spidey...
Has anyone had any successful ideas for reinforcing the culture change? We are at our wits end.
Thanks-love you guys -and Happy Almost Emergency Nurses Week !!
Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.
I did not like the foams either. We switched to the gels and they are everywhere and I mean everywhere. We also have portable bottles. I carry this with me as well and can use this during codes or if I I have to start an IV at an unusual location (ie the lobby), Compliance can happen as I am at 100%. I refuse to provide any IV care without first doing this. We also have large posters plastered everywhere telling pts IT IS OK TO ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE WORKER IF THEY WASHED THEIR HANDS. Our efforts are working in all departments and we usually run in the 90 percentile now. I know nurses are busy,but no handwashing is providing sub-optimal care and if you pride yourself at being "good" at what you do you can not forget this step. It is so easy to incorporate into your practice...squirt the gel......go....and walk to your next task. I always tell nurses that if they remember that they are doing it for themselves as well,a little light goes off in their head. Do you really wanting to be walking around,rubbing your face,sipping your drink and other personal things with others germs all over you!!!!..that alone makes me perform hand hygiene every single time.
iluvivt, BSN, RN
2,774 Posts
I did not like the foams either. We switched to the gels and they are everywhere and I mean everywhere. We also have portable bottles. I carry this with me as well and can use this during codes or if I I have to start an IV at an unusual location (ie the lobby), Compliance can happen as I am at 100%. I refuse to provide any IV care without first doing this. We also have large posters plastered everywhere telling pts IT IS OK TO ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE WORKER IF THEY WASHED THEIR HANDS. Our efforts are working in all departments and we usually run in the 90 percentile now. I know nurses are busy,but no handwashing is providing sub-optimal care and if you pride yourself at being "good" at what you do you can not forget this step. It is so easy to incorporate into your practice...squirt the gel......go....and walk to your next task. I always tell nurses that if they remember that they are doing it for themselves as well,a little light goes off in their head. Do you really wanting to be walking around,rubbing your face,sipping your drink and other personal things with others germs all over you!!!!..that alone makes me perform hand hygiene every single time.