2008 Ernest Amory Codman Award Program Multiple Organization Category
Novant Health Winston-Salem, North Carolina
A Comprehensive Hand Hygiene Program Improves Compliance
Within a Healthcare System and Reduces MRSA
Health Care Associated Infections
In 2004, Novant Health began an aggressive campaign to address hand hygiene compliance rates and decrease its rates of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections. Its goal was to reach hand hygiene compliance rates above 90 percent for all acute care facilities within the system. Novant’s program included alcohol-based hand sanitizers, two dedicated compliance monitors, a red light/green light format for recording compliance, sharing monthly compliance data and edgy, relentless staff communications that emphasized lives would be saved. The program allowed for flexibility among facilities and units. Activities included a "Gel in, Gel out" campaign and an educational package that highlighted the expectations of hand hygiene compliance via a "What is measured gets done" initiative.
Achievements
- Hand compliance rates improved from 49 percent in 2004 to 98 percent in 2008, with sustained rates above 90 percent since November 2006.
- MRSA rates decreased from 0.5 per 1000 patient days to 0.3 per 1000 patient days-a 40 percent reduction. At the patient level, this translates to 100 fewer MRSA health care associated infections for the entire system.
- Achieved cultural change by emphasizing patient safety. This change translated into a real decrease in the number of hospital acquired MRSA infections.
- Proved that behaviors can be changed when employees understand that everyone is responsible for patient outcomes.