Improving Hand Hygiene in a Rural Critical Access Hospital

Abstract

Background: Hand hygiene adherence is the single most important infection control practice among healthcare workers. Hand hygiene is cost-effective and adherence to protocols can reduce hospital-acquired infections. Research regarding hand hygiene adherence has been shown to improve patient safety and reduce hospital-acquired infections. Adherence to hand hygiene protocols among healthcare workers is poor and improvement efforts lack sustainability. Purpose: The purpose of this project is to improve hand hygiene to be at or greater than 90% in acute care areas of a critical access hospital