How Can We Improve Hand Hygiene Compliance and its Clinical Implications in Healthcare Professionals?

Hand washing is one of the most important things that an individual can do to help prevent and control, the spread of bacteria, infections, and many illnesses from occurring. This study aimed to investigate the importance of hand hygiene compliance in nurses who practice at Rhode Island Hospital (RIH) in Rhode Island. The research in this study focuses on the compliance of hand hygiene created by the nursing staff. The branches of RIH target the Neurosurgery, Pulmonary, Dermatology, and the Dialysis Unit, to examine whether the implementation of visual reminders (i.e., "healthy hands" posters) create awareness amongst the nurses in each department. In this mixed-method, prospective, and quasi-experimental study, self-reporting was used to study the frequency of handwashing before and after the implementation of visual reminders. An additional method was created to measure the amount of Germ X Hand Sanitizer used in collaboration with visual reminders in a pre and post-intervention. A Focus Group Discussion was also conducted with the participants to obtain feedback that would increase hand hygiene awareness and its compliance. The results indicated that visual reminders create awareness and increase handwashing frequency among Rhode Island Hospital nurses. The implementation of visual reminders provided nurses with the knowledge and understanding of the importance of the issue.

Development and Implementation of a Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse Exam Review Program

<p>Rhode Island Hospital (RIH) is currently striving to attain Magnet® status; specialty certification of registered nurse (RN) staff plays an important role in achieving that goal. Unit based nursing leadership and RN staff identified neuroscience certification as both important and desirable. One of the barriers identified by the staff RNs was the lack of a study support program to assist in preparation for the certification exam. A certified neuroscience registered nurse (CNRN) exam review program motivates and supports the RN staff to seek certification and successfully sit for the exam. The primary purpose of this program was to increase the number of CNRNs on the neuroscience units at RIH, with a secondary goal of CNRN staff participation throughout the initiative. The development of a formalized process allowed the program to be repeated biannually and helped to establish a unit culture where certification is the standard to which to aspire.</p>