INTERVIEW Experience with the software module ‘Observe‘ Has the improvement in hand hygiene compliance also resulted in a decrease in the number of infections in areas where it has been implemented? Alexandra Hombeuel: We can‘t say for certain. There has been nothing negative noted in our infection records. Ultimately, though, hand hygiene is just one part of overall hygiene. Mr Hohl, do you think there is a connection between improved hand hygiene compliance and a decrease in infections? Stefan Hohl: No, that‘s actually very difficult to say. Whether infections are rising or falling depends on various factors, such as the staff, staff turnover and the number of temporary staff. More generally, it depends on hygiene in the operating theatre, which, although less so than in other departments, is also related to hand hygiene. It is difficult to separate these factors from one another — ultimately, everything plays a role. How do you use the collected data? Have you developed any interventions for your institution based on it? Stefan Hohl: At the beginning of the year, we extract data from the system and then evaluate the previous year. We use this information to create an annual report. The results are then shared with the wards, their respective managers and the medical management. Any nursing wards with an adherence rate of less than 75% then receive specific training on hand hygiene. Training courses are also held for doctors. For example, our 2023 findings showed that hand hygiene compliance could have been better. That‘s why we held lecture hall events the following year. These compulsory events were attended by all nursing staff and doctors. We also conducted training sessions in 2022. At that time, however, they were held directly in the nursing wards. This was because we had observed poor implementation of hand hygiene the previous year, particularly before patient contact and before invasive procedures. We use the available data to influence the wards or doctors when necessary. Alexandra Hombeuel: We hold debriefings and then agree on further measures. Unfortunately, however, these often come to nothing. Those of us in the hygiene department simply do not have the authority to issue instructions. This means that even if we agree on something, we cannot enforce it. Although it is now easier to identify problems with hand hygiene compliance and present the results quickly in an appealing graphical format, you are still struggling to bring about lasting change. How would you rate the practical use of the Observe module? Are you satisfied with it? Alexandra Hombeuel: I think the application is basically great as it is. It has everything you need for compliance monitoring. The main advantage is that digital recording increases the credibility of the data collected. And that‘s not all. The SOPs are included too. That‘s useful. However, creating your own SOPs can be difficult at times. It‘s quite a tough job. In this respect, the application could be more user-friendly. Stefan Hohl: We are very satisfied with Observe. And also with HARTMANN‘s entire hygiene platform, which we have been using for two years. With the hygiene platform, the system works even better and is even more stable. Previously, the system would sometimes crash during data entry, or data would not be recorded correctly. It is now also more visually appealing and data entry is relatively self-explanatory. This enables us to explain the system quickly and effectively to new users who are using it for the first time. It‘s great that you can generate statistics and visual representations of the results immediately, without lots of words. Alexandra Hombeuel 10
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDU5MjM=