Focusing on Families and Visitors Reduces Healthcare Associated Respiratory Viral Infections in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Linam, W. Matthew; Marrero, Elizabeth M.; Honeycutt, Michele D.; Wisdom, Christy M.; Gaspar, Anna; Vijayan, Vini

We defined correct FVHH as hand hygiene performed immediately before touching their hospitalized child. It could be performed using either an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. FVHH was recorded by HCW volunteers (primarily nurses) trained by Infection Prevention. The staff recorded their observations during routine care on all days and all shifts using a standardized tool. Between August 2015 and June 2016, observations were recorded on paper. In July of 2016, observations were recorded using a web-based tool accessible from any computer or mobile device. The electronic tool required the HCW document whether or not that person was reminded to perform hand hygiene and a result of that reminder, but FVHH was determined based on the intended (pre-intervention) behavior. From August 2015 to January 2016, FVHH observations were made in only 3 NICU pods. Starting in February 2016, FVHH observations were made throughout the NICU. Data were transmitted in real-time to an electronic data visualization tool.