are effective in healthcare, just as they are in other industries
such as manufacturing and the airline industry. Technology can
help ameliorate chaos and confusion.
For the general public, improve hand hygiene education
and training directed to both the use of appropriate hand
hygiene solutions and duration of hand hygiene, reinforced
with repeated public service messaging.
For commercial players (airlines, airports, cruise ships,
restaurants, etc.), enhance education and training similar to
programs for the general public but as standardized training re-
quired of all employees with reinforcement on a regular schedule
as a requirement of employment, similar to required programs
in the healthcare setting. Additionally, employ electronic
monitoring of cleaning and hand hygiene performance with
reminders, reinforcement and assessment of compliance.
We are all challenged by this pandemic, and it is critical
that we have the necessary tools to meet this enemy in the
most effective way possible. Training, reminders, feedback,
awareness and implementation of the procedures that are most
effective in protecting all of us, at home or on the front lines
of healthcare, are the key to success. All these interventions
should be both based on best practices and shown to be the
most effective. Accountability, discipline and behavior change
will help us deal with the current situation and hopefully prepare
us for whatever next pathogen or event challenges our world.
Although unique for our generation, this is not the first and will
not be the last pandemic. We need to use the best information
available, learn from our daily challenges and be ready for the
next time. As always, it is not if, but when.