The Safety Stand-down: A Technique for Improving and Sustaining Hand Hygiene Compliance Among Health Care Personnel

The objective of this study was to determine whether a safety stand-down can improve HH compliance. Methods We adapted and borrowed from the military an approach known as a stand-down. A mandatory Hand-Hygiene Leadership Safety Summit was called for all hospital leaders—physicians and nonphysicians. Four days later, a hospital-wide 15-minute–long safety stand-down occurred, during which all nonessential activity was suspended and action plans to improve HH compliance were discussed. All medical sections and hospital departments were required to submit written action plans. After the stand-down, HH compliance monitoring was increased, and noncompliers were required to speak to senior hospital administration. Results Compliance increased from less than 65% to greater than 95% (P
Source: Journal of Patient Safety - Category: Health Management Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research