Teaching effective and efficient skin care procedures

Diagnosis

Poor hand hygiene practices have been one of the root causes for the rise in healthcare-associated infections over the last 30 years. The financial impact these infections have had on the healthcare industry has been staggering. A recent study found that the costs of treating just one severe healthcare-associated infection cost the hospital in question more than its entire annual budget for antiseptic hand hygiene agents.^10,11 But the financial cost of infection is just the beginning.

Healthcare-associated infections can also lead to:

Prolonged hospital stays
Repeated procedures and surgery
Death
Escalating cost of care
Negative public image regarding quality of care
Increased absenteeism and high turnovers in the workforce

Treatment

The CDC recommends that healthcare facilities initiate training programs, which educate and motivate staff on proper hand hygiene methods, as well as practices to minimize the risks and costs of hospital-related infections.

To minimize the human, financial and regulatory risks associated with hospital-related infections, some strategies for the successful implementation of a hand hygiene program in hospitals may include:

Education
Routine observations and feedback
Patient education
Reminders in the workplace
Administrative sanctions/rewards
Encourage active participation on individual and institutional levels
Avoid overcrowding, understaffing and excessive workload
Promote skin care for HCWs' hands

GOJO Solution

GOJO has developed compliance programs to support infection prevention initiatives. These programs help infection control practitioners achieve hand hygiene compliance goals in a cost-effective manner. GOJO has created additional products and programs to help educate, monitor and support hand hygiene in your facility.

"Continue the Care" Hospital Discharge Program
A post-care program composed of three components designed to be a visible way to show hospital commitment to community health and patient well-being after discharge from the hospital.

"The Way Skin Stays Healthy" In-service Educational Program
A comprehensive, videobased training program that demonstrates procedures for proper hand hygiene and skin care.

"Hand Hygiene: Understanding and Implementing the CDC's New Guideline"
This 1.5 CE self-study course for nurses involved in activities related to infection control addresses the new CDC hand hygiene recommendations. It also provides critical information to reduce the spread of infections.

PURELL® PORTAL™ Program
Systematic hand hygiene program to help maximize compliance by addressing:

Product
Placement
Dispensing
Support

10. Pittet D, Mourouga P, Perneger TV, et al. Compliance with handwashing technique in a teaching hospital. Ann Inten Med 1999; 130: 126-130.
11. Pittet D, Tarara D, Wenzell RP. Nosocomial bloodstream infection in critically ill patients. Excess length of stay, extra costs, and attributablr mortality. JAMA 1994; 271: 1598-1601.