by Stepping Down the Risk by Stepping Up the Technology
Culture change is the only way Handwashing For Life Healthcare has found to convert time-hardened handwashing behaviors. Years of accepting low compliance now defines today’s reality. Whatcha got is … who you are!
Years of training have produced waves of temporary peaks in performance. Training without standards has proven to be both frustrating and costly as gains slip back to the undeclared norm.
Do you really want to change? From where you are on the organization chart, can you build a leadership team to get it done? The HandsOn™ System is designed to help chart this strategic move for the leaders who respond affirmatively.
Some multi-site facilities have managed this culture change at a single site and converted from one of efficiency-first to Patient/Resident safety first at a unit level, usually capitalizing on the very special leadership characteristics of an individual infection preventionist, nurse administrator or culinary executive. Handwashing For Life Healthcare recommends each facility search out such a unit and develop a repeatable process model around it.
This prototype unit can provide data to better value the risk of current corporate hand hygiene behaviors and determine the risk-based costs for a sustainable solution. Can it be done without raising fees or lowering care? Continued nurturing can hothouse the initiative for months or years while resources are defined, acquired and aligned for rollout. Can cleanliness be an image differentiator and business builder?
Monitoring, step five of the HandsOn System, is first and foremost about staff motivation. It is already a part of every caregiving operation. Observation via a variety of “secret shopper” models is the standard and in general, has proven to be inadequate if executed on its own.
