As the largest University Hospital in the Netherlands, sets a standard in infection prevention.
The hands of healthcare staff are the primary vehicle for the transmission of pathogens in hospitals. This is why hand hygiene in medical facilities is one of the most important measures for the prevention of nosocomial infections. Particularly in immunocompromised patients, a hospital infection can lead to serious consequences, ranging from extended stays to patient death. This has led to healthcare facilities seeking more creative ways to increase compliance in the battle against deadly pathogens.
Visual incentives promote patient safety
The Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus MC) in Rotterdam is implementing a perfect example of how hand hygiene compliance and patient safety can be improved without interventions. According to Times Higher Education, the institution ranks first among Europe’s top institutions for clinical medicine and also plays a leading role in hygiene: the renowned teaching hospital uses more than 2,500 OPHARDT hygiene dispensing systems for hand disinfection in Hi-Vis colours throughout the hospital.
Installed in numerous areas in close proximity of points of care for patients, the eye-catching appearance of the dispenser systems maximizes infection prevention efforts. Hospital staff, visitors and patients are impacted equally and are visually encouraged to sanitize their hands. A total of three trademarked housing colours in bright orange, red and yellow, support the visual importance of motivating positive hygiene behaviour. Of course, beyond the colours the open-source format of the ingo-man® dispenser series allows a free choice of liquids from different manufacturers, maximizing flexibility and security for healthcare facilities.
[…] Achieving sustained improvements in hand hygiene compliance rates among hospital and clinic staff involves a strategic, well-rounded approach. For example, aligning disinfectant dispensers with the workflow of the hospital staff, providing training about the benefits of good hand hygiene, as well as training on the misconceptions about the effect and implementation of correct hand hygiene, can help improve hand hygiene compliance rates. Even small changes, like introducing hi-vis colours on dispenser housing or in the surrounding area can result in increased hand disinfec… […]