A Motion-Detection Electronic Hand Hygiene Verbal Reminder Increases Adherence in a Standard Precaution Room

Abstract

BACKGROUND Hand hygiene rates remain suboptimal. We previously reported the effect of a motion-detection verbal hand hygiene reminder installed at the door of a contact isolation room and on hand hygiene for nurses, versus all others. This study evaluates the device's effect on the hand hygiene rate for a standard precaution hospital room. METHODS A wireless motion sensor was installed above a standard precaution room door. When an individual entered or exited the room, the device's speaker announced a verbal hand hygiene reminder. The individual was credited with adherence by secret observers only if observed to wash hands at both entry and exit. This prospective study included 174 baseline measurements (before motion-detection sensor deployed) and 111 measurements during the intervention period (the period during which the sensor was installed), for a total of 285 observations. RESULTS Before the wireless sensor was deployed, we found that without the verbal reminder, 6% (n=11) washed their hands at both entry and exit and 94% (n=163) did not. During the intervention, adherence increased to 38% (n=42), while 62% (n=69) did not. As different individuals might be observed before and after sensor installation, we performed a chi-square test for independence using Yates’ correction for continuity with SPSS 25 to compare rates of adherence. With the sensor, there was a statistically significant (X(squared)Yates(1) = 42.41, φ = .40, p CONCLUSIONS In this study, the use of a wireless motion sensor to provide verbal reminders significantly increased hand hygiene adherence at both entry and exit for a standard precaution room. Thus, an audio reminder triggered by motion detection can increase hand hygiene adherence and may curb the incidence of nosocomial infections.