Hand Hygiene
Method for Gathering Hygiene Compliance
All hospitals were required to collect a minimum of 200 observations for every 100 hospital beds. Direct observation of hand hygiene was completed at all hospitals, including TGHC, by trained observers using a standard provincial audit tool. Here is how it was calculated:
# of times hand hygiene performed
—————————————————— x 100
# of observed hand hygiene indications
The observations were on the Four Moments for Hand Hygiene
Toronto Grace Hand Hygiene Compliance Rate April 2023 – March 2024
| Before Initial patient/patient environmental contact | Before aseptic Procedure | After body fluid exposure risk | After patient/patient environmental contact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Compliance | 90.9% | 88.2% | 95.8% | 92.3% |
| # times hand hygiene was performed | 1999 | 90 | 92 | 2086 |
| # observed hand hygiene indications | 2200 | 102 | 96 | 2259 |
What is Hand Hygiene?
- Hand hygiene is using sanitizer or washing with soap and water.
- Hand cleaning is something we all do, but we need to do better – at the right time and the right way.
- Every patient has the right to ask their care provider if they have washed their hands.
Why is Hand Hygiene So Important?
- Hand hygiene is a safety practice that belongs to EVERYONE in the hospital including patients, families, visitors and the care team.
- Good hand washing is the most successful way to reduce and prevent healthcare-associated infections.
What are Healthcare-associated Infections?
- Sometimes when patients are admitted to hospitals they get an infection. These infections are called healthcare-associated infections
When Should I Wash/Sanitize My Hands
- Sanitize/wash your hands before you enter the hospital, at the front door.
- Sanitize/wash your hands before entering a patient’s room.
- Sanitize/wash your hands after you leave a patient’s room.
- Sanitize/wash your hands when leaving the hospital.