Metrics

Topic

Observed Hand Hygiene Compliance

Compliance rate of hand hygiene by observation

Outcome Measure Formula

Based on the “My five moments for hand hygiene” method.\cite{Sax_2007,Sax_2009} Moments defined as:
  1. Before patient contact,
  2. Before aseptic task,
  3. After body fluid exposure,
  4. After patient contact and
  5. After contacts with patient surroundings.
The formula can be used to calculate hand hygiene compliance during all 5 moments. Moments 1 and 4, before and after patient contact are key calculations.
Numerator: Number of hand hygiene actions performed
Denominator: Number of hand hygiene actions required (hand hygiene opportunities)
*Rate is typically displayed as Events/10,000 Adjusted Patient Days

Metric Recommendations

Direct Impact: All Patients
Lives Spared Harm:
\(Lives\ =\ \left(Compliance\ Rate_{measurement}\ -\ Compliance\ Rate_{baseline}\right)\ x\ Healthcare-associated\ Infection\ Rate\ _{baseline}\)
Data Collection:  Direct observation of hand hygiene practices in identified clinical settings with one (or two) trained and validated observers. Observers will watch healthcare workers’ hand hygiene practices at the point-of-care. The observer openly conducts observations but the identities of the healthcare workers are confidential. Based on WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare (2009) and “Save lives, Clean Your Hands” campaign.(World Health Organization 2009)