A simulation method using a fluorescent substance and an ultraviolet detector can encourage healthcare workers' active participation in hand hygiene and promote hand hygiene compliance in hospitals and health systems, according to a study in the American Journal of Infection Control.
Researchers at the National Taiwan University Hospital aimed to evaluate the thoroughness of hand hygiene of workers by having them rub their hands with a fluorescent substance as they would use soap and water or a sanitizer substance, and then place their hands under a UV detector to identify areas they might have missed.
Of the 388 workers who participated, a total of 880 residual spots were identified. The most-missed areas were the tips of the fingernails and the fingertips themselves. Based on that information, the hospital used a tailor-made slogan to teach the workers the importance of washing all parts of the hand.
"The integration of knowledge, practice and visual feedback can strengthen the learning process and improve the compliance and thoroughness of [hand hygiene]," the study authors wrote. "This stress-free, seeing-is-believing program can encourage [healthcare workers'] active participation in [hand hygiene] and promote [hand hygiene] culture in healthcare settings."
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