Background: In 2009 I attend an interesting talk on the reduction of the incidence of healthcare associated MRSA in a 240 bed community hospital, where they eliminated the use of contact precautions. If they could achieve this over 5 years could the same be done in a hospital in Australia in 2011? Could using an extension of the Hand Hygiene Australia 5 moments improve compliance with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage, save costs and improve patient communication/satisfaction?
Method: The study was undertaken on two wards over one month in 2011. The unit proposed a model using the 5 moments and the patient bed to define zones. The only patients excluded were those requiring airborne precautions. Education was provided to both wards for two weeks prior to study implementation including visual reminders through posters. The Hand Hygiene Coordinator with the Infection Control Link Nurses undertook observational audits using a predefined tool, in conjunction with their hand hygiene auditing. Patients and staff were given a survey questionnaire to gage their opinions of the study and costing for PPE usage from the month prior to the study and through out the study was used as a comparison.
Expected Outcome: The expected results from the study was hoped to mirror a similar study recently undertaken at the Trinity Medical Center in the US. Staff saw a reduction in PPE usage, a cost saving to the facility, improved staff satisfaction and improved patient communication and satisfaction, reducing their sense of isolation and distance.