Research has shown flashing lights can help increase hand hygiene compliance in healthcare settings, but the longevity of the effect has not been examined — until now. A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control looked at how flashing lights affect handwashing over the course of six weeks.
The researchers mounted flashing lights onto hand sanitizer dispensers for a month and a half, and used regression analysis to compare hand hygiene compliance rates at the beginning of the intervention to the end of the intervention.
The study showed flashing lights improved hand hygiene compliance from 11.8 percent to 20.7 percent. Not only that, the effect remained the same over the course of the six-week study period. The researchers also found fully charged lights were linked with greater compliance.
"Flashing lights are a simple, inexpensive way of improving hand hygiene," the study concluded. "Brighter lights appear to have a greater effect; however, this must be balanced with annoyance in specific settings."
More articles on hand hygiene:
Medline exam gloves earn National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
Australian hand hygiene campaign proves costly, but effective
8 US hand hygiene compliance companies form alliance