Abstract
The determination of how reliable and comparable the results are from the use of a hand hygiene observation tool between two auditors
Background
Hospitals are required to observe and record the activities of health care providers to ensure the safety of patients. Observing, recoding and analyzing several HCPs simultaneously to ensure they wash hands before and after attending to patients can be demanding. The Handy Audit electronic tool only requires an auditor to enter her observations, while the tool records, analyzes and reports hand hygiene fulfillment practices by relying on subjective data entered by the auditor enters; making it more accurate as compared to the paper-based tool. At Hamilton General Hospital two auditors are conducting a study to compare their results and determine the reliability of the electronic hand hygiene observation tool. The auditors have the same training having been trained by the same mentor.
A Longitudinal study is preferred as the observations will take longer time using the same variables with repeatedly. Two auditors observe one staff member at a time. Each audit session lasts for 20 minutes based on the 4 moments of hand hygiene for 2-4 different workers in 8 West and 8 South units.
Results
The Handy Audit electronic tool reported 4 similar results out of the 14 HCPs observed. The auditors made their observations from two different angles.
Discussion
There was similarity on the report produced by hand hygiene tool. The difference in the results may be due to the different angles of observation by the auditors. The auditors will try observations from the same angle for more accuracy for the tool.
Conclusion
The hand hygiene tool provides any efficient and easier way to monitor hand hygiene practices. The auditors will seek appropriate training for more precise observations.
