Nov 3, 2009 5:53 pm US/Eastern
Md. To Watch Hand Washing Practices In Hospitals
CLARKSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) ―
-
-
Extra eyes will be on hospital workers to make sure they're washing their hands.
CBS
Extra eyes will be on hospital workers to make sure they're washing their hands. It's a new program aimed to cut down on healthcare-acquired infections.
Andrea Fujii reports hand washing is already a normal part of hospital procedure, but now "secret employees" will be watching closely.
Hand washing is routine for registered nurse Dmitriy Makarebich.
"It would be a lot of times during my 12-hour shift," he said.
The Maryland Hospital Hand Hygiene Collaborative says hand washing should be routine for everyone. That's why they, along with Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, are launching an initiative in which secret hospital workers will oversee other employees to ensure they're practicing safe hygiene.
"Proper hand hygiene is the most proper tool in our arsenal, so today we're launching a statewide hospital-based effort to improve hand hygiene," said Brown.
The CDC says healthcare-acquired infections represent about $30 billion in additional costs nationwide. It's a habit medical practitioners say is a vital way to cut down on the spread of H1N1.
Doctors say it takes a good 15 to 20 seconds to lather up and wash your hands properly, whether using soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Sinai Hospital already has a similar plan in place.
"We're stepping it up a bit and putting employees responsible in watching other employees to congratulate someone for washing their hands or saying next time wash your hands before you go to see a patient," said Peter Andrews, a physician assistant at Sinai.
Dmitriy says he rarely forgets to wash his hands. Like many workers, it's become part of the routine.
"Essentially you need to wash it before you see each patient and after we see each patient," he said.
At Sinai Hospital, workers won't be reprimanded if they don't wash their hands; they will just be reminded.
The Maryland Hospital Hand Hygiene Collaborative will be partially funded by a $100,000 cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
