Modelling Individual Hand Hygiene Habits, Through the Introduction of a Smart Digital Dispensing System, in a Healthcare Institution

Abstract

In general, properly performed hand disinfection. by healthcare workers, plays a crucial role in reducing the number of nosocomial infections. My research project focuses on a ward of a health care institution, where a digital dispensing system has been installed. This system detects which dispensers have been used for hand disinfection and it also detects instances when hand disinfection should have been carried out, but was not. Additionally, by dividing the entire staff into no more than 4 main groups (physicians, nurses, technical personnel and other employees) information can be gathered on the hand hygiene practices of each group. In my case study, I used 25 semi-structured interviews, to demonstrate which of the learning processes facilitate proper hand hygiene practice, which are the factors that help and impede the proper execution of hand disinfection. The third part of my exploratory research, aimed to present the impact of the introduction of a digital dispensing system on hand disinfection habits. My research project applies a new approach, by using the theoretical background of viewing hand disinfection, from the perspective of habits and analyzing my main lines of inquiry against this background. Informal learning, i.e., learning from practices, as opposed to formal learning, plays a prominent role in learning processes. This means that the workplace has a key role in the transfer of the correct knowledge to healthcare workers, in order to increase the effectiveness of hand disinfection. The acquisition of hand hygiene knowledge is facilitated by presentation materials incorporating abundant visuals and small group practical lessons using fluorescent demonstrations to teach proper rub-in technique. The availability of point-of-care dispensers promotes good practice, which is further supported by the introduction of a digital dispensing system. By presenting the hand hygiene results achieved by the teams, the use of digital dispensers creates a competitive environment, thus, providing an organizational framework for the effective implementation of the individual learning process, in this case, the practice of proper hand disinfection.