Hand hygiene compliance in nursing home wards: The effects of feedback with lights on alcohol-based hand rub dispensers.

Hand hygiene (HH) among health care workers (HCWs) is crucial in preventing infections in nursing homes. However, HH compliance (HHC) among HCWs remains low. This study aimed to investigate the effect of feedback lights on HCWs' HHC. A 5-month interventional study was conducted in 3 wards in a nursing home in Denmark. During the intervention period, a green light with a smiley appeared on the alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) dispensers when HCWs used the ABHR, acknowledging HCWs for using the ABHR. HHC was monitored using an automatic HH monitoring system (AHHMS). A total of 64 HCWs were enrolled. The AHHMS collected 23,696 HH opportunities in apartments and dirty utility rooms. Overall, HHC in the apartments increased from 50% at baseline (95% CI: 48, 53) to 56% (95% CI: 54, 58) during the intervention. However, the increased HHC level was not sustained during follow-up. The AHHMS enabled the assessment of the intervention. We found a significant effect of light-guided feedback in the apartments. However, the increased HHC was not sustained after the light was switched off. • Feedback with light on alcohol-based hand rub was investigated in nursing home wards. • Hand hygiene compliance (HHC) was measured using an automatic hand hygiene system. • The light had an immediate, significant effect on health care workers' (HCWs') HHC. • The increased HHC level was not sustained over time. • The light did not change HCWs' HHC in dirty utility rooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]