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Getting back to the basics has proven to be a successful endeavor at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital.
Since 2006, GlenOaks has drastically reduced hospital-acquired infections by embracing industry best practices, including handwashing, hospital officials said. In 2009, the hospital reported zero cases of dangerous central line-associated blood stream infections, according to the new edition of the Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care. Such a milestone is difficult to achieve, since patients are at greater risk of contracting infections at hospitals, especially if they have weakened immune systems or open wounds.
Although it might seem like a simple solution to a complex problem, the importance of proper handwashing cannot be overstated, hospital officials said.
“Handwashing is the easiest way to prevent all infections in the hospital, including (the central line-associated blood stream infections),” said MaryAnn Palermo, a registered nurse and director of patient safety and quality management at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital.
To underscore the importance of handwashing, the hospital recently launched a computer-based exam on the topic. Regardless of whether they come into contact with patients in the normal course of their jobs, all hospital employees are required to pass the test as part of a patient safety initiative. So far, the cardiac testing, intensive care unit, medical records, pharmacy and security departments are among the many departments already reporting 100 percent compliance.
“Ninety-nine percent of our employees have successfully completed the test, and we expect to reach 100 percent very soon,” Palermo said.
The 30-minute exam includes a tutorial on proper handwashing techniques, including wetting the hands with running water, applying the soap, lathering well, rubbing hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds and scrubbing all surfaces, rinsing well, drying hands and, when possible, using a towel to turn off the faucet. After the tutorial, employees then read through a series of scenarios and answer questions about whether the doctors, nurses and other health care workers in the scenarios acted properly — for example, by washing their hands upon entering and exiting every patient’s room, every time.
“Our mantra is every patient, every time,” said Jackie Conrad, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient services at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital.
While she said handwashing seems like a no-brainer, “there are some tips and tricks to doing it correctly.”
“When this was brought up as something our corporation was going to tackle a year ago, I was all for it,” Conrad said. “Even though it seems a little simple, it’s the No. 1 way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. There is nothing that is more important for us to spend our time and energy on.”
Getting back to the basics has proven to be a successful endeavor at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital.
Since 2006, GlenOaks has drastically reduced hospital-acquired infections by embracing industry best practices, including handwashing, hospital officials said. In 2009, the hospital reported zero cases of dangerous central line-associated blood stream infections, according to the new edition of the Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care. Such a milestone is difficult to achieve, since patients are at greater risk of contracting infections at hospitals, especially if they have weakened immune systems or open wounds.
Although it might seem like a simple solution to a complex problem, the importance of proper handwashing cannot be overstated, hospital officials said.
“Handwashing is the easiest way to prevent all infections in the hospital, including (the central line-associated blood stream infections),” said MaryAnn Palermo, a registered nurse and director of patient safety and quality management at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital.
To underscore the importance of handwashing, the hospital recently launched a computer-based exam on the topic. Regardless of whether they come into contact with patients in the normal course of their jobs, all hospital employees are required to pass the test as part of a patient safety initiative. So far, the cardiac testing, intensive care unit, medical records, pharmacy and security departments are among the many departments already reporting 100 percent compliance.
“Ninety-nine percent of our employees have successfully completed the test, and we expect to reach 100 percent very soon,” Palermo said.
The 30-minute exam includes a tutorial on proper handwashing techniques, including wetting the hands with running water, applying the soap, lathering well, rubbing hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds and scrubbing all surfaces, rinsing well, drying hands and, when possible, using a towel to turn off the faucet. After the tutorial, employees then read through a series of scenarios and answer questions about whether the doctors, nurses and other health care workers in the scenarios acted properly — for example, by washing their hands upon entering and exiting every patient’s room, every time.
“Our mantra is every patient, every time,” said Jackie Conrad, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient services at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital.
While she said handwashing seems like a no-brainer, “there are some tips and tricks to doing it correctly.”
“When this was brought up as something our corporation was going to tackle a year ago, I was all for it,” Conrad said. “Even though it seems a little simple, it’s the No. 1 way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. There is nothing that is more important for us to spend our time and energy on.”
Currently, her staff has a 100 percent compliance rate, and Conrad offers words of wisdom to patients in any hospital setting.
“(They) really need to watch the staff and question if the staff has washed their hands,” she said. “Our patients feel very comfortable that our staff has washed (their) hands because we make a big deal out of it.”
Whether it’s coming into a patient’s room using sanitizing gel, or washing their hands in front of the patients, GlenOaks staff want patients to know they are committed to maintaining a healthy environment.
Another industry best practice embraced by Adventist GlenOaks Hospital is the addition of multidisciplinary clinical rounding in the intensive care unit. On a weekly basis, an infection control practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist and a hospital quality expert collectively do rounds of all patients who have a central line. Because each member of the team has a slightly different expertise, everyone provides a unique perspective, Palermo said.
“We round on all these patients and collaborate with the front-line caregivers to make sure we’re following all the best practices,” Palermo said. “This approach keeps the concept of patient safety at the forefront and holds everyone on the team accountable for each patient’s care.”
Learn more
To see how Illinois hospitals rate in varying aspects of health care, visit health carereportcard.illinois.gov.
