CNL as Educator in the Emergency Department: Improving Hand Hygiene Outcomes

<p>Prevention of hospital acquired infections (HAI) is a National Patient Safety Goal. Proper and frequent hand hygiene (HH) prevents HAI and various cross-infections in any setting. Audits of visual adherence for HH generates low compliance scores. During a yearlong improvement project, low monthly compliance scores of 52% in the Emergency Department (ED) of a community hospital, were reported by hospital auditors and found to be inaccurate by ED staff due to lack of visibility of HH actions because they occurred behind curtains or closed doors. Low scores and challenges were associated with behavioral change among ED team members, requiring multiple steps to achieve effective HH and enhancing visibility. Several evidenced-based interventions were implemented increasing HH rates. Increased compliance and visibility necessitated formal and informal education, environmental, and communication changes among team members. One major environmental intervention involved creating more HH/hand washing stations (HWS) in high traffic areas. Educational interventions included reinforcement of correctly utilizing alcohol-based hand-rub (ABHR), can be less irritating than handwashing. During implementation, mini dispensers of ABHR placed on badges or belts led to significant improvement and sustainable rates of HH compliance. Placement of ABHR and HWS were vital to optimize the HH protocol adherence and visibility. Current rates of HH behaviors have been sustained at 93% for 4 months. A CNL led improvement project in the ED resulted in sustainable outcomes by addressing educational and behavioral barriers for seasoned staff who were more resistant to change.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Level thesis:degree_level

Project/Capstone - Global access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Leadership

Year dc:date.available

2017

Author dc:creator

• Batz, Michelle

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mary Seed
• Cathy Coleman

• hand hygiene
• audits
• best practices
• hospital-acquired infections
• Emergency Department
• Clinical Nurse Leader
• Critical Care Nursing
• Other Nursing

Repository record dc:identifier

https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/580

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.usfca.edu:capstone-1615