Handwashing’s Corrective Action Shortfall

Electronic Monitoring Fills the Gap of Complacency

The diligent foodservice operators are the majority but their years of collectively working without handwashing standards have left a scar of complacency.

They see themselves as doing everything possible regarding handwashing and have a track record to prove it. We have inservice training using the best available materials. We have reminder signage and a HACCP /HARPC Plan. We pass inspections and management is content, depending on a very qualified staff. And we haven’t had an outbreak during my tenure.

Management finds itself living in the proverbial bubble, ignorant of the handwashing reality and ill-prepared to deal with the rising risk of breakdowns in hand hygiene protocols. The costs of an outbreak or recall far exceed the costs of the corrective action now that electronic monitoring has come of age.