As we’ve noted before, simply installing technology into a complex healthcare organization and walking away does not translate into success. The best technology implementations address the human factor implicit in behavior change by smoothly guiding providers through a process. Our process builds upon itself by focusing on different aspects of increasing hand hygiene and reducing HAIs during six unique phases. (Read here about Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4 and Phase 5, which follow Phase 1, where we’re simply gathering baseline data.)
In Phase 6, we focus on high risk patient interactions, particularly patients in isolation or with C. diff. By this phase, our patented Adaptive Room Modes™ have been in use for some time. These allow hospital managers to change the hand hygiene protocols and voice reminders for different patient needs.
In isolation rooms, the system will allow clinicians more time to gown and glove before our Real-Time Voice Reminder™ reminds them to sanitize their hands. In C. diff rooms, depending on hospital protocol, providers using sanitizer upon room exit will not get “credit” and will instead hear a voice that says, “Soap and water only.” (In addition, there’s a mute button for rooms where there’s an end of life situation, or where even a gentle voice may disrupt a patient, such as in the case of a traumatic brain injury.)
While Adaptive Room Modes™ have a positive impact on hand hygiene performance for high risk patients, in Phase 6, we take it even further. Our Real-Time Intervention Blueprints™ keep a close eye on hand hygiene performance in all rooms on virtually a real-time basis. Halfway through a shift, it alerts Unit Managers if there are particular rooms where hand hygiene is lagging, especially with high risk patients. This allows the Unit Manager to go observe that room and solve any bottlenecks or other issues. This process can prevent HAIs from happening before they start and helps keep every patient safer.
If you’d like to explore how our system typically doubles hand hygiene performance rates, here’s a brief video about how it works. Or here’s a white paper on How the New Joint Commission Hand Hygiene Standards Could Impact Your Hospital.
