[Matthias.Maiwald@KKH.COM.SG Subject: Re: Study Reveals Correlation Between Handwashing and Employee Engagement In-Reply-To:]

Dear Michael,

Interesting article. I take it from the article that truly motivating staff
(and treating them well) at an organisation has no substitute (even though
this is not what was explicitly stated).

But the really disappointing aspect of this article is to see that
apparently people in the healthcare sector — even from within infection
control circles — are still mixing up the concepts of handwashing and hand
antisepsis (or hand disinfection) with alcohol. These are very different
concepts, and I am not sure what more needs to be said and published that
alcohol hand antisepsis should be the primary method for hand hygiene in
healthcare facilities, and handwashing the secondary one. The evidence is
clear.

Best regards, Matthias.

—
Matthias Maiwald, MD, FRCPA
Consultant in Microbiology
Adj. Assoc. Prof., Natl. Univ. Singapore
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
100 Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 229899
Tel. +65 6394 1389
Fax +65 6394 1387

“Wishart,
Michael”
AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
Sent by: AICA cc
Infexion
Connexion Subject
Handwashing and Employee Engagement

03/12/2010 05:57
AM

Please respond to
AICA Infexion
Connexion

Interesting study report in Infection Control Today news. This makes sense
to me on a number of levels.

One of the greatest contributors to healthcare-acquired infections
(HAIs)is poor handwashing compliance by hospital staff. Yet when it comes
to hand hygiene, many organizations simply post signs asking employees to
wash their hands. While increased signage may have a small impact on
handwashing rates, HR Solutions has uncovered a new factor that has a
profound linkage to handwashing compliance — employee engagement.

New data from HR Solutions, an international human capital management
consulting firm, has shown a near-perfect correlation between handwashing
compliance* at healthcare facilities and employee engagement. Employee
engagement can be defined as an employee putting forth extra discretionary
effort, as well as the likelihood of the employee being loyal and remaining
with the organization over the long haul. Research shows that engaged
employees perform better, put in extra efforts to help get the job done,
show a strong level of commitment to the organization, and are more
motivated and optimistic about their work goals. Employers with engaged
employees tend to experience low employee turnover and more impressive
business outcomes.

The positive Pearson Correlation (r+.99) shows conclusively that as
engagement levels rise, so does handwashing compliance. AsHAI rates
increase, this data could provide a new solution to healthcare facilities
to manage the issue.

*Handwashing regulations tend to vary by organization. For the purpose of
this study, handwashing compliance was defined as washing hands or using
antibacterial hand sanitizer before and after contact with a patient.

From:
http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/news/2010/12/study-reveals-correlation-between-handwashing-and-employee-engagement.aspx
(short URL in case it doesn’t parse properly: http://tinyurl.com/26ul2mw )

Cheers
Michael

Michael Wishart | GPH – Infection Control Coordinator

GPH – Quality & Safety Unit (Infection Control) | Greenslopes Private
Hospital
Newdegate Street, Greenslopes QLD 4120
t: 07 3394 7919 | f: 07 3394 7985
e: WishartM@ramsayhealth.com.au | w: http://www.ramsayhealth.com.au

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