An alternative to singing “Happy Birthday”: Healthcare provider's rhyme for handwashing time
2016; Elsevier BV; Volume: 44; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.ajic.2016.05.041
ISSN1527-3296
Autores Tópico(s)Hospital Admissions and Outcomes
ResumoA literature search on the topic of hand hygiene reveals a plethora of evidence describing the known fact that good hand hygiene is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the most effective method of preventing hospital-acquired infections.1Lacey G. Corr M. Morrow H. McQueen A. Cameron F. Connolly C. The impact of structured incentives on the adoption of a serious game for hand hygiene training in a hospital setting.Stud Health Technol Inform. 2016; 220: 179-184PubMed Google Scholar The most recent published articles continue to address challenges with hand hygiene compliance rates, which range from 25%-51% and are costly for the US health care system.2Watson J.A. Role of a multimodal educational strategy on health care workers' handwashing.Am J Infect Control. 2015; 44: 400-404Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar Authors also provide strategies for improving handwashing behavior. For example, Kurtz3Kurtz S.L. Are we sending the wrong message when we ask health care workers to wash their hands?.Am J Infect Control. 2016; 44 (1184–118)Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar pointed out that when asking health care workers to wash their hands, a better message might be to ask them not to transmit diseases to change the emphasis from adherence to behavior change. There is also evidence for the importance of addressing contextual and psychosocial factors that affect handwashing practices. An article by Reyes Fernández et al4Reyes Fernández B. Knoll N. Hamilton K. Schwarzer R. Social-cognitive antecedents of hand washing: Action control bridges the planning-behaviour gap.Psychol Health. 2016; : 1-12Google Scholar identified that the most important predictors of good hand hygiene are a belief of self-efficacy; planning how, when, and where to wash hands; and always remembering to do so. Increasing understanding of motivational processes is therefore an important consideration when developing strategies to improve hand hygiene practices. Health care providers know that hand hygiene prevents infection, but what might motivate actually taking the time to wash hands before a patient visit? Jean Watson, nursing theorist, has advocated handwashing as "a time to center, reflect, empty out, and consciously remind oneself of the importance of quieting and slowing down, allowing authentic presence to emerge."5Watson J. Quinn J. Dr. Jean Watson's Human Caring Theory: 10 CARITAS FACTORS.http://www.watsoncaringscience.org/images/features/library/Caring%20Brochure.pdfDate: 2005Google Scholar Health care providers can make conscious efforts to allow their hands to be guided not only by knowledge and skills but also by their hearts and spirits to transform skilled tasks into skilled holistic care.6Bal J. Wilson McGahee T. Dedication of hands to nursing: a ceremony of caring.http://www.sciedu.ca/journal/index.php/jnep/article/view/1705Date: 2013Google Scholar A short poem that could be recited in approximately 20 seconds was developed as an alternative to singing "Happy Birthday" in a hospital setting:Healthcare Provider's Rhyme for Handwashing TimeWith this time to wash my hands,I take a moment to prepare;That I might offer healing presenceand mindful, patient-focused care.I cleanse my hands for caring touch,with every patient I will see,and clear my mind so I will hearthe needs that they might share with me. The poem is being used within a large health care system in the Southwest to encourage handwashing before every patient encounter as a time for personal preparation for providing patient-centered care. This strategy may be a helpful addition to those already employed to make continued advances with hand hygiene adherence within an organization.
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