Effect of Wearing a Novel Electronic Wearable Device on Hand Hygiene Compliance Among Health Care Workers

Abstract

Key Points Question Does providing real-time feedback on a simplified hand hygiene (HH) action with a novel electronic wearable device improve the compliance with the “5 Moments” and the quality of the HH action according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines? Findings In this stepped-wedge, cluster randomized clinical trial involving 97 health care workers at the University of Geneva Hospitals, the device did not improve compliance with the “5 Moments” of HH. The volume of alcohol-based handrub and the duration of hand rubbing per HH increased after the activation of the feedback. Meaning The use of the device did not change HH compliance, but improved quality of the HH action.

Impact of direct hand hygiene observations and feedback on hand hygiene compliance among nurses and doctors in medical and surgical wards: an eight-year observational study

“…In a recent study in the geriatric hospital, the use of a novel electronic wearable device did not change the HHC among healthcare workers. However, the use of the device increased the median duration of hand rubbing (from 6.5 to 8 s) and the volume of alcohol-based hand rub (from 1.12 to 1.71 mL) [32]. Although electronic surveillance systems seem to be free of the Hawthorne effect, further studies are needed to determine standardized metrics for quantifying system performance differences among electronic HH monitoring systems [33].…”

Effects of the Implementation of Intelligent Technology for Hand Hygiene in Hospitals: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Study characteristics related to the population, interventions, and outcomes for the 36 included studies are provided in Table S2 in Multimedia Appendix 2 [ 15 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 30 - 60 , 62 ]. The 36 unique articles included 2 (6%) RCTs [ 53 , 54 ] and 34 (94%) quasi-experimental studies [ 15 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 30 - 52 , 55 - 60 , 62 ] (8 non-RCTs and 26 one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental designs). Studies were published between 2013 and 2022, apart from 2 studies published in 2008 [ 48 , 58 ].…”

Acceptability of an Alcohol-Based Handrub Gel with Superfatting Agents Among Healthcare Workers: A Randomized Crossover Controlled Study

“…All participating HCWs completed a previously used and tested questionnaire on hand hygiene and personal habits. 24 Forty-two volunteers were recruited to complete the trial, of which 41 were nurses or nursing assistants; 37 completed both intervention periods. Five participants were not included in the study, dropping out due to scheduling con icts, changing their workplace, or their data was not included due to non-compliance with the intervention.…”