Electronic Hand Hygiene Monitoring Decreases MRSA Infections

healthcare worker hand hygiene

A recent study has found that electronic hand monitoring systems can help improve healthcare professionals’ compliance with hand hygiene guidelines, which can effectively reduce the rate of hospital-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.

MRSA infections are caused by a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to many forms of antibiotics and is very difficult to treat. It is most often acquired in healthcare facilities when proper care is not taken to prevent infections.

If you believe that a healthcare professional’s carelessness led to you or a loved one being diagnosed with MRSA, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact one of our reputable medical malpractice lawyers today to determine if you have a case.

42 Percent Reduction in MRSA Infections

Researchers with Greenville Health System in Greenville, SC, analyzed data from an electronic compliance system that tracked if healthcare workers abide by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Five Moments hand hygiene guidelines.

The Five Moments concept identifies moments during interaction with patients that healthcare professionals should wash their hands in order to avoid spreading infections and pathogens throughout the facility. WHO recommends that hospital staff wash their hands:

  • Before patient contact
  • Before engaging in aseptic tasks, which includes coming into contact with broken skin or mucous membrane or using an invasive medical device that requires sterilization
  • After bodily fluid exposure
  • After patient contact
  • After contact with a patient’s surroundings

The study found that staff compliance with hand hygiene guidelines increased 25.5 percent when the electronic system was used. More importantly, the system helped reduce hospital-acquired MRSA infections by 42 percent.

These findings show that it is critical that healthcare professionals abide by all hygiene-related guidelines in order to prevent patients from contracting preventable infections that can cause serious and often life-threatening injuries.

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