hand hygiene
hand hygiene
By Robert P . Lee
Instructions for Use and Hand Hygiene Science
One statement during that presentation remains fresh in my memory : “ Hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers was less than
25 percent .” Although I initially thought this highly unlikely , I subsequently learned that the information was correct .”
Logically speaking , the use of a product usually involves the use of one ’ s hands . So , why wouldn ’ t there be specific instructions about hand hygiene and the handling of their product ? Just saying , “ Perform hand hygiene ” is not sufficient .”
Hand hygiene science is understanding how , when , where and under what conditions sanitizing your hands might prevent pathogens from transferring from surfaces in your environment to other surfaces and then to persons ( hosts ). We know from the World Health Organization ( WHO )’ s 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene guidelines that Moment 5 plays an important role in pathogen migration and transfer . Moment 5 encompasses all “ things ” within the patient space which might be touched or handled by hands . More specifically , equipment , medications , and other objects ( fomites ) are included .
Instructions for use ( IFUs ) are provided by manufacturers of medical devices , instruments and equipment . If hand hygiene is the No . 1 preventive protocol for preventing infection , other than mentioning hand hygiene , why aren ’ t these IFUs more specific on how , when , where and under what conditions to follow and perform “ hand hygiene science ”? Let ’ s see how IFUs are defined by several entities with purview within the healthcare sector .
According to the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ), an IFU is a set of written and visual instructions that help healthcare professionals safely and effectively use and / or reprocess medical products and devices .
According to the Joint Commission , an IFU refers to the manufacturer ’ s written guidelines on how to properly use , clean , disinfect , reprocess , and store medical devices , ensuring healthcare providers follow the correct procedures for safe patient care ; essentially , it ’ s a set of instructions that come with a medical device outlining its proper usage and maintenance .
I remember flying to Boston several years ago and meeting with personnel developing a new technology designed to improve hand hygiene compliance . One statement during that presentation remains fresh in my memory : “ Hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers is less than 25 percent .” Although I initially thought this highly unlikely , I subsequently learned that the information was correct . As I think back , I missed many opportunities to provide better guidance for my clients had I known the importance of proper hand hygiene and the use of products in my portfolio .
With more than 50 years of corporate experience with customers in the medical device and supply industry , I have never reviewed an IFU or participated in an in-service / education session that addressed hand hygiene , hand hygiene science and the proper use of products directed to proper hand hygiene protocols . If hand hygiene is the No . 1 method to reduce the risk of infection , it would seem appropriate that the medical device / supply companies would emphasize the most effective methods to handle their product in a safe manner .
Logically speaking , the use of a product usually involves the use of one ’ s hands . So , why wouldn ’ t there be specific instructions about hand hygiene and the handling of their product ? Just saying , “ Perform hand hygiene ” is not sufficient . IFUs must be more specific related to the when , how , how often , and list the possible examples of hand hygiene events and opportunities with this product . As I have noted previously , “ Pathogens don ’ t have legs , we give them legs .”
If you are a manufacturer / supplier and you do not include in your IFU detailed instructions on hand hygiene and ensure that the consumer is well trained to effectively employ proper hand hygiene protocols when using your product , then this would be similar to flying a plane with no training or giving the keys to your car to a novice teenage driver .
Current infection rates at hospitals are 10 percent to 12 percent according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), with 100,000 deaths caused by healthcare-associated infections ( HAI ) and more than 2 million infections annually , at a cost to providers , insurers , and patients of $ 47 billion .
Why is there this disconnect in product information and hand hygiene science ?
I hope this discussion compels corporate leadership and executives to ensure their marketing and sales teams employ hand hygiene science as a critical component of their in-service / education and IFUs . And , as always , if you need help , please reach out to The IPEX team for assistance .
Robert P . Lee , BA , the CEO and founder of MD-Medical Data Quality & Safety Advisors , LLC , is the senior biologist and performance improvement consultant . MD-MDQSA is the home of The IPEX - The Infection Prevention Exchange , a digital collaboration between selected evidence-based solutions that use big data , technology , and AI to reduce risk of HAIs .
20 • www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • jan-feb 2025