Ms. Jayne Cameron1, Ms. Melanie Jong1
1Monash Health, Casey, Australia
Biography:
Jayne Cameron is a dedicated registered nurse who has been a valuable member of Monash Health since 2006. She began her career in the emergency department, where she honed her skills in acute care. In October 2022, Jayne transitioned to the field of infection prevention, reflecting her commitment to enhancing patient safety and healthcare quality. She is currently completing a graduate certificate in infection prevention and serves as one of the portfolio holders of hand hygiene for Monash Health.
Abstract:
Background
Hand hygiene remains a cornerstone in infection prevention and an established expectation at our organisation, yet a gradual decline in compliance was noted in 2023. This presentation explores a multi modal campaign including a visual cue in the form of pink auditor vests, and revamped organisation wide communication strategies to address hand hygiene compliance.
Method
We implemented this quality improvement initiative across Victoria's largest healthcare network, encompassing nine hospitals. This involved the introduction of pink vests worn by hand hygiene auditors during auditing and provision of feedback. Compliance rates were assessed before and during the intervention. Anecdotal feedback from auditors, healthcare workers and leadership teams regarding the efficacy and perception of the pink vests was also collected.
Results
Preliminary analysis indicates a significant improvement in hand hygiene compliance after introducing pink vests. Compliance rates increased from an average of 83.1% to 86.7% post-intervention when compared over audit periods. Qualitative feedback from healthcare workers indicates that the pink vests served as a visual reminder, fostering hand hygiene awareness, encouraging responsiveness to feedback and education, and fostering positive behavior change, thus improving compliance.
Conclusion
High-visibility vests used during hand hygiene audits effectively reminded staff of the importance of proper hand hygiene and the expectation of constructive feedback. A comprehensive campaign promoted a positive view of feedback as a tool for quality improvement. These measures led to improved and sustained compliance with hand hygiene protocols across multiple audit periods.