Hand Hygiene Sound Alert: is it a Good Tool to Improve Compliance? / Alerta sonoro para higienização das mãos: é uma boa ferramenta para melhorar a conformidade? / Alerta sonora para higienización de las manos: es una buena herramienta para mejorar la conformidad?

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: To investigate whether or not it is possible to use a Sound Alert as a tool to improve Hand Hygiene (HH) compliance. Material and methods: This is a pilot study from an Internal Medicine Unit with 16 beds at a Private Hospital in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Sound Alert is composed by a bell MP3 wireless with micro SD 128MB as its memory card. Handwash compliance was indirectly measured by two indicators a) monthly volume of alcohol preparation for hands used (mL) for each patient-day; b) monthly volume of soap preparation for hands used (mL) for each patientday. Results: In the pilot study period, the monthly volume of alcohol preparation for hands increased to 26 mL per patient-day (r2 = 0.99; p<0.001). The monthly volume of liquid soap raised to 35 mL per patient-day (r2 = 0.07; p=0.67). Conclusion: This new tool proved to be a good option for hospitals with low financial resources.(AU)