by Foodservice
Foodservice operators in most cases are rightfully proud of their customer care. After all, they likely see their operation as a finely tuned network of policies and procedures focused on their customers. It is a human behavior to love what we create. This fosters further operational enthusiasm but can dangerously conceal important realities and diminish objectivity. This creates a condition summarized as the “ugly baby” barrier to accepting reality.
C-suites are disconnected from the truth that their handwashing is running nearer 30% compliance rather than the 90% – 100% that is considered safe and expected. To those Quality Assurance professionals who do know their handwashing is the operation’s “ugly baby”, they choose to overlook it because of executive complacency and the priorities of Operations. Their experience is evidence of chronic C-suite inaction.
Meanwhile, rather than dealing with the agreed and documented #1 way to reduce outbreaks, C-suites invest in high-tech temperature control equipment or a better dish machine. They’d rather not look at their “ugly baby” while it should be their #1 priority, based on risk reduction.
The collective costs of restaurant outbreaks are high but not analyzed by separate causes, only by composite “contributing factors”. No portion of the dollar impact is attributed to poor handwashing compliance as that looks like everything is rosy based on passing health department audits and it is rarely a topic in management meetings. The “ugly baby” parallel was explained to me by a person who lost his spouse to an infection acquired during her hospital stay. He feels that this is a factor in most all restaurants as well as in healthcare kitchens. “No one wants to look at it.”
It is time to face the truth and admit that their handwashing is one of their creations that has morphed into “ugly baby” status. It is an ideal time to take a deep dive into this #1 opportunity to lower operator risk by deploying electronic performance monitoring systems that provide data-driven handwash motivation. The best are those capable of motivating staff in those busy moments so easy to forget. The HandsOn System gives operators a simple sequence of steps to expose, face and resolve Foodservice’s handwashing shortcomings in a sustainable way.
Healthcare
Healthcare providers in most cases are rightfully proud of their patient and resident care. After all they likely see their operation as a finely tuned network of policies and procedures focused on their clients’ wellness. It is a human behavior to love what we create. This fosters further operational enthusiasm but can dangerously conceal important realities and diminish objectivity. This creates a condition summarized as the “ugly baby” barrier to accepting reality.
C-suites are disconnected from the truth that their handwashing is running at 30% compliance, not the 90% reported regularly to the Joint Commission. To those IP nurses who do know their handwashing is the hospital’s “ugly baby”, they chose to overlook it because of executive complacency. Their experience is evidence of C-suite priorities. Thus, the HAI annual death counts continue unabated, year after year, 75-99k in acute and 380k in LTC.
Meanwhile, rather than dealing with the agreed and documented #1 way to reduce HAIs, C-suites invest in UV-C robots or the like. They’d rather not look at their “ugly baby” while it should be their #1 priority, based on risk reduction.
The collective costs of HAIs are high but not analyzed by separate causes. No portion of the dollar impact is attributed to poor handwashing compliance as that looks like everything is rosy at 90%. It was explained to me this way by a person who lost his spouse to an HAI: ”This ‘ugly baby’ condition exists in nearly every healthcare facility and no one wants to look at it.”
It is time to face the truth and admit that their handwashing is one of their creations that has morphed into “ugly baby” status. It is an ideal time to take a deep dive into this #1 opportunity to lower HAIs, deploying electronic performance monitoring systems that provide data-driven motivation. The best are those that simply remind caregivers in those moments so easy to forget. The HandsOn System gives providers a simple sequence of steps to expose, face and resolve healthcare’s handwashing shortcomings in a sustainable way.
