Several hospitals have implemented automated hand hygiene systems or electronically enhanced direct observations of hand hygiene compliance, but a recent review of articles on the systems revealed they may not be effective or worth the money.
Researchers from the University of Iowa in Iowa City reviewed PubMed articles published between January 2000 and March 2013 that covered the use of electronic systems for hand hygiene, and the results of the review were published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
They found four main types of systems tended to be implemented: electronically assisted/enhanced direct observation, video-monitored direct observation systems, electronic dispenser counters and automated hand hygiene monitoring networks.
However, less than 20 percent of the articles researchers observed included calculations for efficiency or accuracy.
"Given the restricted clinical and infection prevention budgets of most facilities, cost-effectiveness analysis of specific systems will be required before these systems are widely adopted," they concluded. "Future studies should be undertaken that assess the accuracy, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of such systems."
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