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Automated Hand Hygiene Monitoring Systems: Current Issues, Developments and Perceived Benefits

Microbiol Immunol Pathol, Volume 2(1): 1–3, 2021 Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAIs) are among the leading causes of death in the United States affecting about one in every 20 hospitalised patients [1]. Furthermore, at least 50% of these infections are preventable [2]. Healthcare Workers (HCWs) practicing good Hand Hygiene (HH) is fundamental to preventing HCAI transmission, as HH compliance and HCAI rates are closely linked [3]. Though this association is well established, maintaining high levels of HH compliance is a perennial problem in all healthcare settings. When independently audited, HH compliance has been shown to be in the region of 50% at best [4]. Compliance is particularly poor when staff are busy and experiencing burnout [5] which has been mirrored in a recent report that found hospital transmission of COVID-19 accounted for 20-25% of cases [6]. Stressed and overworked HCWs perform less HH, thereby inadvertently increasing the risk of COVID-19 transmission and other HCAIs. Simply blaming HCWs is not the answer. Though maintaining adequate patient to staff ratios is essential, providing staff with unbiased and opportunistic feedback on their HH practice is also key to mitigating HCAI risk.